James P. Berkeley

Berkeley was born on July 1, 1907, at Quarters M-7, Marine Barracks within Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Virginia, where his father, Captain Randolph C. Berkeley, was stationed as commander of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Kentucky. His father later received the Medal of Honor during Veracruz Expedition and retired with the rank of major general in the Marine Corps in 1939.^[2]

Berkeley's mother, Carrie Anna Phillips, died during his birth and, because of his father's occupation, James was entrusted to the care of his grandfather, who served with the Navy Pay Corps. James rejoined his father in 1923 and after, attending of public school in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, he was sent to the Severn Preparatory school, a preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy.^[1][2]

When Berkeley failed the entrance examination to the Naval Academy, his father gave him a choice: go to work or join the Marine Corps as an enlisted man. He chose the Marine Corps and enlisted as a private on March 1, 1927. Private Berkeley was subsequently sent for the recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing training, he was attached to the 2nd Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Logan Feland and sailed for Nicaragua in January 1928.^[2]

Berkeley took part in skirmishes with the Sandino rebels in the north of country and quickly received promotion to corporal. Berkeley was subsequently recommended for promotion to sergeant due to his leadership skills, but his father, who served as 2nd Brigade's Chief of Staff, blocked the promotion, saying his son was too young. James Berkeley later used this story to prove that his father's influence had not helped him in his military career. He was decorated for bravery with the Presidential Medal of Merit by the Government of Nicaragua.^[1][2]

Upon his return to the United States in December 1928, Berkeley continued serving and was later promoted to sergeant. Berkeley was also a Distinguished Marksman and received the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal for his exemplary service.^[2]

After three years as a non-commissioned officer, Berkeley was commissioned a second lieutenant on January 31, 1930. Berkeley was subsequently appointed company officer and ordered to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for officers' training during the summer of that year. He graduated in June 1931 and served for a brief period with the Marine barracks at Norfolk Navy Yard.^[1][2]

Berkeley was subsequently attached to the 4th Marine Regiment and left with it for China in April 1932. He was subsequently stationed in Beiping with the Marine detachment at the American embassy and then served in the 38th Company under Captain John W. Thomason. While in this capacity, he served as acting communications officer, the branch which significantly influenced him in his later career.^[1][2]

Berkeley returned stateside in December 1934 just for Christmas. After brief leave, Berkeley was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas E. Watson at San Diego, California. He was appointed Battalion Communications Officer and for this new duty, he was promoted to first lieutenant in February 1935.

Berkeley was subsequently transferred to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in May 1935 and attached to the staff of 1st Marine Brigade under Brigadier General James J. Meade. Berkeley commanded the brigade's communications platoon until August 1936, then was sent to the Army Signal School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Following his graduation in June 1937, Berkeley rejoined the 1st Marine Brigade and was promoted to the rank of captain in September of that year. He subsequently served as commander of the communications platoon and from April 1938 as brigade communications officer. He left the 1st Brigade in March 1939 and assumed command of the Marine detachment aboard the heavy cruiser USS Wichita. Berkeley spent the next two years on sea duty and took part in her shakedown cruise, during which she visited the Virgin Islands, Cuba, and the Bahamas, before she returned to Philadelphia for post-shakedown repairs. Berkeley participated in the Neutrality Patrol and later also in a goodwill cruise to South America.^[1][2]

At the beginning of June 1941, Berkeley traveled to Marine Corps Base Quantico, where he was appointed communications officer under Major General Louis M. Little. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Berkeley was promoted to the rank of major in January 1942 and subsequently transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., in March of that year. He served as Assistant Officer in Charge of the Communications Section within Division of Plans and Policies under Brigadier General Keller E. Rockey. He was later promoted to lieutenant colonel in August 1942.^[1][2]

In this capacity, Berkeley had the opportunity to accompany the Commandant, Thomas Holcomb on an inspection tour at Guadalcanal during October and November 1942. Later, another inspection tour occurred in August 1943, when he accompanied Lieutenant Colonel Harold O. Deakin and John W. Scott Jr. on a secret mission to London, England and then to the North African theater.^[1][3]

Berkeley took part in Salerno Landing in September 1943 as an observer with the 46th British Infantry Division under Major General John Hawkesworth. During the landing, his LVT came under German artillery fire and was forced to withdraw for repairs. Berkeley later had the opportunity to discuss the efficiency of naval gunfire support with Lieutenant General George S. Patton, the 7th U.S. Army commander. He later recalled General Patton's distaste for and distrust of naval gunfire support, a primary element for successful amphibious operations.^[1]

Berkeley returned stateside at the beginning of November 1943 and assumed command of the Field Signal Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California. His unit was later incorporated into the newly activated 5th Marine Division and he was appointed Divisional Signal Officer in February 1944. Berkeley served under his old superior from Washington, D.C., Major General Keller E. Rockey, and was tasked with the organization of 5th Division Signal operation. Thanks to Berkeley's knowledge and experiences in the field of communications, Signal Troops of 5th Marine Division became an effective combat force. This fact was later confirmed during the Iwo Jima campaign.^[2]

After a few months of division training and preparation, Berkeley finally sailed to the Pacific area in August 1944. He spent several months of further training in Hawaii, before his division took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. Berkeley went directly to the front lines, when he was assigned to the 27th Marine Regiment under Colonel Thomas A. Wornham. The regiment was in an area of fierce fighting and its executive officer, Colonel Louis C. Plain, was wounded and evacuated. Berkeley assumed temporarily his duties on March 15, 1945, and "coordinated the functioning of a staff badly displaced by casualties, he, without regard for his own personal safety, immediately visited the front line to familiarize himself thoroughly with the situation. Thereafter his clear thinking, sound vision, and tactical judgment based on information collected in numerous visits to the front line observation posts greatly aided the successful accomplishments of the missions assigned the regiment."^[4][5]

Following the battle, Berkeley returned to command the 5th Division Signal Troops and subsequently was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for bravery in action and received the Navy Presidential Unit Citation.^[1][4]