Russell S. Berkey
Encyclopedia
Russell Stanley Berkey was an Admiral
in the United States Navy
during World War II
.
Admiral Berkey was a native of Indiana
and graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1916. Following graduation he served on board the battleship . Between 1918 and 1942 he served in variety of assignments including as Flag Secretary to Commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet and as Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Battleship Division Four. He completed two deployments as commanding officer aboard the , which patrolled the Yangtze River
in China
.
Following the start of World War II he was assigned to command the and became her first Captain in 1942. Later as a Rear Admiral
he commanded a cruiser division and task force during the battle of Battle of Leyte Gulf
and Corregidor
invasion operations. His flagship
at this time was the . He also commanded the right flank cruisers and destroyers during the Battle of Surigao Strait. Following the war he served as commander of the Seventh Fleet from August 28, 1949 until April 5, 1950 and then Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Far East.
He retired in September 1950, and died in 1985.
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the United States Navy
United 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...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Admiral Berkey was a native of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
and graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1916. Following graduation he served on board the battleship . Between 1918 and 1942 he served in variety of assignments including as Flag Secretary to Commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet and as Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Battleship Division Four. He completed two deployments as commanding officer aboard the , which patrolled the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Following the start of World War II he was assigned to command the and became her first Captain in 1942. Later as a Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
he commanded a cruiser division and task force during the battle of Battle of Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
and Corregidor
Corregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
invasion operations. His flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
at this time was the . He also commanded the right flank cruisers and destroyers during the Battle of Surigao Strait. Following the war he served as commander of the Seventh Fleet from August 28, 1949 until April 5, 1950 and then Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Far East.
He retired in September 1950, and died in 1985.