Randolph C. Berkeley
Encyclopedia
Randolph Carter Berkeley (January 9, 1875 – January 31, 1960) was a United States Marine Corps
major general
who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the United States occupation of Veracruz.
Commissioned a Marine second lieutenant during the Spanish-American War
, Berkeley completed over 40 years' active duty in the Marine Corps, including service at sea and in the Philippines
, Cuba
, Panama
, China, Haiti
, Nicaragua
and Guam
. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was awarded the Navy Cross
as commander of the 11th Regiment in Nicaragua in 1927, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
as Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Brigade in that country in 1928-29.
Major Berkeley was commanding the 1st Battalion of the 2d Advanced Base Regiment when he took part in the action which earned him the United States' highest decoration on 21-April 22, 1914. Relations between the United States and the Huerta government of Mexico had been strained for some time, and a landing force of Marines and sailors was ordered ashore at Vera Cruz after a Huerta officer had arrested several U.S. Naval personnel at Tampico. The 2nd Regiment was the first ashore, meeting resistance from Mexican troops about noon on April 21,. Maj Berkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished conduct and leadership in that battle.
, where he attended grade and high school. He graduated from Potomac Academy in Alexandria, Virginia
in 1891.
Berkeley was appointed a Marine second lieutenant on August 8, 1898 for service during the Spanish-American War. He was stationed at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
, until he was honorably discharged on January 9, 1899. He returned to the Corps in April 1899, when he was appointed a first lieutenant. His subsequent promotions included: captain, July 1900; major
, October 1910; lieutenant colonel
, August 1916; colonel
, July 1918; brigadier general
, July 1930; and major general
on retirement, February 1939.
In addition to his service at posts in the United States, he served on a variety of assignments at sea and abroad before the action at Vera Cruz
. He served aboard the from October 1899 to March 1901; in the Philippines from April to June 1901; aboard the from July 1901 to August 1902; on expeditionary duty in Panama from December 1904 to August 1906; on expeditionary duty in Cuba in September and October 1906; aboard the as commander of its Marine detachment from December 1907 to November 1908, and in the Philippines and China from December 1908 to October 1910.
Major Berkeley took command of the 1st Battalion, 2d Advanced Base Regiment in December 1913, in Pensacola, Florida
, and sailed with it for Vera Cruz in March 1914. He returned to the United States in December 1914, and was stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until June 1915, when he sailed for Guam to command the Marine Barracks on that island. Returning from Guam in November 1917, he served at the Marine Barracks, New York, New York, and Charleston, South Carolina, during the next two years.
Colonel Berkeley was again ordered to expeditionary duty in October 1919, serving for two years with the 1st Provisional Brigade in Haiti. After he returned from that country in November 1921, he served at New York, New York, and Norfolk and Quantico, Virginia. He completed the Field Officers Course at Quantico in August 1925, and a year of study at the Army War College, Washington, D.C., in June 1926, returning from there to Quantico
as commander of the 1st Regiment. He served in that capacity for the next two years, except for the period from May to August 1927, when he was commanding the 11th Regiment in Nicaragua.
He was ordered to Nicaragua again in May 1928, serving there for a year as Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Brigade. After his return to the United States in April 1929, he commanded the Marine Barracks at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia. He served in that capacity until August 1930, when he was ordered to Quantico, Virginia
. There he commanded the Marine Corps Schools until November 1931, when he was again ordered to Nicaragua - this time as commander of the 2d Marine Brigade.
He returned to the United States in January 1933, and from then until May 1936, commanded the Marine Barracks in Parris Island
, South Carolina. He was then ordered to Marine Corps Headquarters
, Washington, D.C., where he was President of the Marine Corps Examining and Retiring Boards until December 1938. He reached the statutory retirement age in January 1939 and was placed on the retired list the following month as a major general.
Following his retirement, Berkeley lived in Beaufort
and Port Royal, South Carolina
, until his death at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Beaufort, South Carolina on January 31, 1960. Major General Berkeley was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
on February 4, 1960.
He was survived by his two sons, Marine Corps officers, Major General James Philipps Berkeley and Colonel Randolph Carter Berkeley, Jr. (1916–2003). Colonel Berkeley was also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
BERKELEY, Randolph Carter
Major, U.S. Marine Corps
G.O. Navy Department, No. 177
December 4, 1915
CITATION:
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of VERA CRUZ
, April 21, and 22nd, 1914; was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion; was in the fighting of both days, and exhibited courage and his skill in leading his men through action. His cool judgment and courage and his skill in handling his men in encountering and overcoming the machine gun
and rifle
fire down Cinco de Mayo and parallel streets accounts for the small percentage of the losses of Marines under his command.
guided missile armed destroyer is named in honor of Major General Berkeley.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the United States occupation of Veracruz.
Commissioned a Marine second lieutenant during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, Berkeley completed over 40 years' active duty in the Marine Corps, including service at sea and in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, China, Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
and Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
as commander of the 11th Regiment in Nicaragua in 1927, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
as Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Brigade in that country in 1928-29.
Major Berkeley was commanding the 1st Battalion of the 2d Advanced Base Regiment when he took part in the action which earned him the United States' highest decoration on 21-April 22, 1914. Relations between the United States and the Huerta government of Mexico had been strained for some time, and a landing force of Marines and sailors was ordered ashore at Vera Cruz after a Huerta officer had arrested several U.S. Naval personnel at Tampico. The 2nd Regiment was the first ashore, meeting resistance from Mexican troops about noon on April 21,. Maj Berkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished conduct and leadership in that battle.
Biography
Randolph C. Berkeley was born on January 9, 1875 in Staunton, VirginiaStaunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
, where he attended grade and high school. He graduated from Potomac Academy in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
in 1891.
Berkeley was appointed a Marine second lieutenant on August 8, 1898 for service during the Spanish-American War. He was stationed at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
, until he was honorably discharged on January 9, 1899. He returned to the Corps in April 1899, when he was appointed a first lieutenant. His subsequent promotions included: captain, July 1900; major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
, October 1910; lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
, August 1916; colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
, July 1918; brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
, July 1930; and major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
on retirement, February 1939.
In addition to his service at posts in the United States, he served on a variety of assignments at sea and abroad before the action at Vera Cruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
. He served aboard the from October 1899 to March 1901; in the Philippines from April to June 1901; aboard the from July 1901 to August 1902; on expeditionary duty in Panama from December 1904 to August 1906; on expeditionary duty in Cuba in September and October 1906; aboard the as commander of its Marine detachment from December 1907 to November 1908, and in the Philippines and China from December 1908 to October 1910.
Major Berkeley took command of the 1st Battalion, 2d Advanced Base Regiment in December 1913, in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, and sailed with it for Vera Cruz in March 1914. He returned to the United States in December 1914, and was stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until June 1915, when he sailed for Guam to command the Marine Barracks on that island. Returning from Guam in November 1917, he served at the Marine Barracks, New York, New York, and Charleston, South Carolina, during the next two years.
Colonel Berkeley was again ordered to expeditionary duty in October 1919, serving for two years with the 1st Provisional Brigade in Haiti. After he returned from that country in November 1921, he served at New York, New York, and Norfolk and Quantico, Virginia. He completed the Field Officers Course at Quantico in August 1925, and a year of study at the Army War College, Washington, D.C., in June 1926, returning from there to Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
as commander of the 1st Regiment. He served in that capacity for the next two years, except for the period from May to August 1927, when he was commanding the 11th Regiment in Nicaragua.
He was ordered to Nicaragua again in May 1928, serving there for a year as Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Brigade. After his return to the United States in April 1929, he commanded the Marine Barracks at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia. He served in that capacity until August 1930, when he was ordered to Quantico, Virginia
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
. There he commanded the Marine Corps Schools until November 1931, when he was again ordered to Nicaragua - this time as commander of the 2d Marine Brigade.
He returned to the United States in January 1933, and from then until May 1936, commanded the Marine Barracks in Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
, South Carolina. He was then ordered to Marine Corps Headquarters
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
, Washington, D.C., where he was President of the Marine Corps Examining and Retiring Boards until December 1938. He reached the statutory retirement age in January 1939 and was placed on the retired list the following month as a major general.
Following his retirement, Berkeley lived in Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
and Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
, until his death at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Beaufort, South Carolina on January 31, 1960. Major General Berkeley was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
on February 4, 1960.
He was survived by his two sons, Marine Corps officers, Major General James Philipps Berkeley and Colonel Randolph Carter Berkeley, Jr. (1916–2003). Colonel Berkeley was also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Awards and honors
MajGen Berkeley's medals and decorations include:| Medal of Honor Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her... |
Navy Cross Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all... |
||
| Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast... |
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is a decoration of the United States Marine Corps which was first created on 8 May 1919. Originally known as the Marine Corps Expeditionary Ribbon, a full-sized medal was authorized in July 1921 by Presidential Order of Warren G. Harding... |
Spanish Campaign Medal Spanish Campaign Medal The Spanish Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which recognized those members of the U.S. military who had served in the Spanish-American War. Although a single decoration, there were two versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal, one for members of the United... |
Army of Cuban Pacification Medal Army of Cuban Pacification Medal The Army of Cuban Pacification Medal is a military award of the United States Army which was created by orders of the United States War Department on May 11, 1909... |
| Philippine Campaign Medal Philippine Campaign Medal The Philippine Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces which was created to denote service of U.S. military members in the Philippine-American War between the years of 1899 and 1913. Although a single service medal, the Philippine Campaign Medal was issued under... |
Haitian Campaign Medal (1921) Haitian Campaign Medal The Haitian Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States Navy which was issued in the year 1917 and again in the year 1921. The decoration was intended for service members of both the Navy and Marine Corps who had participated in Haitian peacekeeping actions between the years of... |
Mexican Service Medal Mexican Service Medal The Mexican Service Medal is an award of the United States military which was established by General Orders of the United States War Department on December 12, 1917... |
World War I Victory Medal |
| Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933) Nicaraguan Campaign Medal The Nicaraguan Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy which was authorized by Presidential Order of Woodrow Wilson on September 22, 1913. The medal was again authorized by an act of the United States Congress on November 8, 1929... |
Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit | Nicaraguan Medal of Distinction | Nicaraguan Medal of Merit |
Medal of Honor citation
BERKELEY, Randolph Carter
Major, U.S. Marine Corps
G.O. Navy Department, No. 177
December 4, 1915
CITATION:
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of VERA CRUZ
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, April 21, and 22nd, 1914; was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion; was in the fighting of both days, and exhibited courage and his skill in leading his men through action. His cool judgment and courage and his skill in handling his men in encountering and overcoming the machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
and rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
fire down Cinco de Mayo and parallel streets accounts for the small percentage of the losses of Marines under his command.
Namesake
The United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
guided missile armed destroyer is named in honor of Major General Berkeley.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)