US Navy Admiral Arleigh Burke was born October 19, 1901 and died January 1, 1996 in Bethesda, Md. He retired a Four Star Admiral on August 1, 1961. Born in Boulder, Colorado, he graduated the US Naval Academy and was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy in June 1923. With the advent of World War II he was serving at the Washington Navy Yard when he received orders to the South Pacific. Serving under Admiral Halsey he commanded Destroyer Division 43, Destroyer Division 4, Destroyer Squadron 12 and Destroyer Squadron 23. He fought in 22 separate engagements in 1943, being credited with destroying one Japanese cruiser, nine destroyers, one submarine, several smaller ships and approximately 30 aircraft. In March of 1944 as Chief of Staff Commander Fast Carrier Task Force, he participated in all its naval engagements until June 1945. At the outbreak of the Korean War as Admiral Deputy Chief of Staff to Commander Naval Forces, he became a member of the UN Truce Delegation to negotiate with the People’s Republic of China and North Korea to establish military armistice in Korea. After the war, President Eisenhower appointed him Office of Chief of Naval Operations in 1955, where he served as Director of Strategic Plans Division. He served in post for three terms, retiring a Four Star Admiral. He died at the age of 94 and was laid to rest at the US Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 09:06:41 +0000
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