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Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates 66 6366
Military Service Number 71 483
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Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Barry Atkins served in the Navy from June 1932 until placed on the retirement list on 1 November 1959.
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Melvin (DD-680)
General Orders: Commander 3d Amphibious Force: Serial 00394 (December 26, 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant] Barry Kennedy Atkins (NSN: 0-71483), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Executive Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. MELVIN (DD-680), 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. With United States Destroyer units deployed in a flanking maneuver as tactically disposed PT boats opened fire on a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers advancing under cover of darkness towards our waiting forces, Commander Adkins placed MELVIN in an advantageous striking position within close range of the enemy forces. Although silhouetted by the illumination of star shells, and under fire, he launched his torpedoes with precise timing in the first, sudden, coordinated attack, surprised the enemy and rendered him vulnerable to the smashing blows of our heavy Naval units. Subsequently retiring without damage from the furious engagement which resulted in the sinking of two Japanese battleships and three destroyers before effective return fire could be brought to bear upon our Task Force, Commander Atkins by his forceful leadership, professional ability and determination in the face of tremendous odds, contributed materially to the decisive defeat of the enemy force. His courage and devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Description The Battle of the Java Sea was a decisive naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II.
Allied navies suffered a disastrous defeat at the hand of the Imperial Japanese Navy, on 27 February 1942, and in secondary actions over successive days. The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) Strike Force commander—Rear-Admiral Karel Doorman—was killed. The aftermath of the battle included several smaller actions around Java, including the smaller but also significant Battle of Sunda Strait. These defeats led to Japanese occupation of the entire Netherlands East Indies.
The battle was the largest surface ship engagement since the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
