Naval History and Heritage Command

Historical Note

Arleigh Burke was the Chief of Naval Operations from 1956-1961.  He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1927.  He commanded Destroyer Squadron 23, the "Little Beavers" during World War II where he earned his nickname "31 Knot Burke".  He served as a delegate to the United Nations armistice negotiations at both Kaesong and Pan Mun Jong during the Korean War.  After retirement, he founded the Center for Strategic and International Studies at Georgetown University and served on a plethora of boards including Texaco, Chrysler, and the Naval Historical Foundation.  A more complete bio can be found here.

Scope and Content Note

The scope of this collection focuses mainly on the Post-World War II career of ADM Arleigh Burke.  This collection consists of both official records, correspondence, congressional testimony, studies, articles, meeting transcripts, interviews, addresses and speeches, event invitations and itineraries as well as personal correspondence, news clippings, addresses and speeches, reunion pamphlets, and board meeting minutes from Burke's navy and post-retirement career.

Preferred Citation

This collection should be cited as Papers of Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, Archives Branch, Naval History and Heritage command, Washington, D.C.

For associated photographic materials, please visit the photo archive donated collections related to Admiral Arleigh A. Burke.