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Contact Info
Home Town Goshen
Last Address Tulsa, Okla.
Date of Passing Sep 30, 1985
Official Badges
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NAVY CROSS Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Russell Stanley Berkey (NSN: 0-9670), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Right Flank Commander, Allied Support Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Surigao Strait during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on the night of 24 - 25 October 1944. On board the U.S.S. PHOENIX (CL-46), Rear Admiral Berkey led his ships against the enemy battle-line in a conspicuously heroic manner. By his courage and determination he gave encouragement to his force in a manner that caused his action to be largely instrumental in the success of a most difficult operation. This successful attack contributed in large measure to eliminating an imminent and dangerous threat to our transports and other ships in Leyte Gulf. Rear Admiral Berkey's high professional skill, forceful leadership, and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Service: Navy
Rank: Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 13680 (December 7, 1944)
LEGION OF MERIT
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Rear Admiral Russell Stanley Berkey (NSN: 0-9670), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Cruiser Division FIFTEEN in the Southwest Pacific Area from 6 December 1943 to 25 September 1944. Rear Admiral Berkey thoroughly trained officers and men assigned to his command. His foresighted planning and efficient maintenance of his force in a state of readiness enabled him to lead his ships in almost continuous operations against the enemy. He ably planned and directed the bombardment and fire support for the invasion of the Admiralty Islands on 29 February 1944. For a week afterward he bombarded the coast in support of our troops. By bombardment and fire support he neutralized the Japanese defenses for the occupation by our forces of Humboldt Bay and Tanahmerah Bay on 22 April 1944 and of Aitape on 23 April 1944. His planning and direction contributed greatly to the success of this important operation. Cruisers and destroyers under his command provided fire support for our landings at Wakde-Toem on 17 May 1944 and ten days later bombarded Biak in preparation for assault on that island. Following the Biak operation his force repelled day and night air attacks and drove off a group of enemy ships attempting to reinforce the enemy forces ashore. On 2 July 1944 he directed the bombardment of Noemfoor Island to assure the success of our landings. Rear Admiral Berkey ably advised and assisted in the planning and execution of the important amphibious assault on Morotai on 15 September 1944. During the entire period he planned and directed a great number of bombardments and anti-barge operations along the coast of New Guinea. Rear Admiral Berkey's excellent planning, skillful direction and inspiring leadership in the performance of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Berkey is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 02621 (May 16, 1945)
Action Date: December 6, 1943 - September 25, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Rear Admiral
Leyte Campaign (1944)/Battle of Leyte Gulf
From Month/Year
October / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description 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 near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from 23–26 October 1944, between combined US and Australian forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy. On 20 October, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from the countries it had occupied in Southeast Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but was repulsed by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleets. The IJN failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force. The majority of its surviving heavy ships, deprived of fuel, remained in their bases for the rest of the Pacific War.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four separate engagements between the opposing forces: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar, as well as other actions.
It was the first battle in which Japanese aircraft carried out organized kamikaze attacks. By the time of the battle, Japan had fewer aircraft than the Allied forces had sea vessels, demonstrating the difference in power of the two sides at this point of the war.
