Fred T. Berry
Encyclopedia
Fred Thomas Berry, born 23 November 1887 in Logan, Iowa
, was a member of the United States Naval Academy
class of 1908. Through much of his early career he specialized in engineering duty, and during World War I
commanded McCall
(DD-28). He was awarded the Navy Cross
for his outstanding performance of duty in this billet.
In 1927, he began training in dirigibles, and later commanded the airship
Los Angeles
(ZR-3). Commander Berry, then commanding Naval Air Station Lakehurst, was lost in the crash of Akron
(ZRS-4) off the New Jersey
coast 4 April 1933.
USS Fred T. Berry
(DD-858) was named in his honor.
Logan, Iowa
Logan is a city in Harrison County, Iowa, United States, along the Boyer River. The population was 1,545 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Harrison County. Henry Reel founded Logan in 1867, naming it in honor of General John A. Logan, a favorite army officer.-Geography:Logan's longitude...
, was a member of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
class of 1908. Through much of his early career he specialized in engineering duty, and during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
commanded McCall
USS McCall (DD-28)
USS McCall was a in the United States Navy during World War I and later in the United States Coast Guard, designated CG-14...
(DD-28). He was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for his outstanding performance of duty in this billet.
In 1927, he began training in dirigibles, and later commanded the airship
Airship
An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...
Los Angeles
USS Los Angeles (ZR-3)
The second USS Los Angeles was a rigid airship, designated ZR-3, that was built in 1923-1924 by the Zeppelin factory in Friedrichshafen, Germany, where it was originally designated LZ-126...
(ZR-3). Commander Berry, then commanding Naval Air Station Lakehurst, was lost in the crash of Akron
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship of the United States Navy that was lost in a weather-related accident off the New Jersey coast early on April 4, 1933, killing 73 of the 76 crew and passengers on board...
(ZRS-4) off the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
coast 4 April 1933.
Namesake
In 1945, the destroyerDestroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Fred T. Berry
USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858)
USS Fred T. Berry was a of the United States Navy, named for Commander Fred T. Berry .Fred T. Berry was launched on 28 January 1945 by Bethlehem Steel Co., San Pedro, California; sponsored by Mrs. Fred T. Berry, widow of Commander Berry; and commissioned on 12 May 1945, Commander N. J...
(DD-858) was named in his honor.