Russell S. Berkey

Who was Russell S. Berkey?

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 USS New York . 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 USS Panay, which patrolled the Yangtze River in China.

Following the start of World War II he was assigned to command the USS Santa Fe 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 USS Phoenix . 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.