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Adapted from "Rear Admiral Daniel Edward Bergin, United States Navy, Deceased"  [biography, dated 15 January 1974] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.
 

Adapted from "Rear Admiral Daniel Edward Bergin, United States Navy, Deceased"
[biography, dated 15 January 1974] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.Adapted from "Rear Admiral Daniel Edward Bergin, United States Navy, Deceased"
[biography, dated 15 January 1974] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Intelligence
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
  • Vietnam Conflict 1962-1975
File Formats
  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Daniel Edward Bergin

10 December 1919-10 August 1982


Photo of Rear Admiral Daniel E. Bergin copied from page 92 of the 1941 edition of the U.S. Naval Academy yearbook 'Lucky Bag'.

PDF Version [1.2MB]

Daniel Edward Bergin was born in New York, New York on December 10, 1919, son of Daniel E. and Eleanor Gertrude (Mangin) Bergin. He graduated from Regis High School in New York City, was attended Manhattan College for a year, prior to entering the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on appointment from his native state in 1938. Graduated with the Class of 1942, on December 19, 1941 (accelerated course due to the war emergency), and commissioned Ensign, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of Rear Admiral, to date from July 1, 1969.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1941, he joined USS Leary (DD-158) as Engineer Officer and while attached to that destroyer (an old “four piper”) participated in convoy operations in the North Atlantic. In November 1943 he reported for fitting out duty in USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Kearny, New Jersey, and upon the commissioning of that destroyer, January 26, 1944, became her Engineer Officer. In that vessel, he participated in the Luzon attacks and the landings at Mindoro and Lingayen Gulf.

From January to April 1945 he had instruction at the Gunnery School, Washington, DC, after which he had duty afloat as Gunnery Officer of USS Hazelwood (DD-531). Detached from that destroyer in September 1945, he reported the next month as Executive Officer of USS McCaffery (DD-860), operating off the China Coast, and in March 1947 assumed command of USS Spangenberg (DD(R)-223). Under his command, the Spangenberg participated in a scientific expedition to the South Atlantic in May 1947 to observe an eclipse of the sun at sea.

During the period July 1947 to December 1949 he had instruction at several schools, and from January to December 1950 was an Instructor at the Naval Intelligence School, Washington, DC. He next served as Flag Secretary to the Commander Task Group 3.3 and as such was present during the atomic tests at Eniwetok in the spring of 1951. He joined the Intelligence Staff of the Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet in July 1951 and in October 1953 reported as Executive Officer of USS Dixie (AD-14). He remained on board that destroyer tender until April 1955 and the next month assumed command of USS Kidd (DD-661).

Assigned in January 1957 to the Office of Naval Intelligence, Navy Department, Washington, DC, he continued duty there until March 1959, and the next month became Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. In July 1960 he assumed command of Landing Ship Squadron SEVEN and in September 1961 returned to the Chief of Naval Personnel. He attended the National War College, Washington, DC from August 1963 to July 1964, and the next month reported as Project Officer (Amphibious Warfare Study), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. In 1964 he completed a postgraduate course in International Affairs at George Washington University, Washington, DC.

In February 1965 he assumed command of Destroyer Squadron THREE. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V,” “for exceptionally meritorious conduct…while serving as Commanding Carrier Division THREE from February 24, 1965 to August 30, 1966 and while engaged in destroyer operations in the Tonkin Gulf and Southeast Asia areas. He also received the Bronze Star Medal for “meritorious service during the period April to July 1965 while as Commander Destroyer Squadron THREE and Commander Task Group SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT EIGHT in connection with classified operations against the enemy…”

He reported in August 1966 as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, US Pacific Fleet and was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the econd Legion of Merit for directing “…the Staff of Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force to exceptional performance which resulted in outstanding success…” In July 1968 he became Deputy Assistant Director for Intelligence Production, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Third Legion of Merit for contributing greatly “…to the successful operation of the Defense Intelligence Agency…” In September 1971 he assumed command of Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla THREE and was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Fourth Legion of Merit “for exceptionally meritorious conduct…as Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group SEVENTH Fleet from November 1971 to April 1972 during combat operations…” In August 1972 he became Deputy Director for Intelligence at Headquarters Commander in Chief US Naval Forces, Europe and in January 1974 was ordered detached for duty as National Intelligence Officer, General Purpose Forces (and Multi Balance Force Reduction), Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.

In addition to the Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars and Combat “V” and the Bronze Star Medal, Rear Admiral Bergin has the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with star; World War II Victory Medal; China Service Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. He also has the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

He died August 10, 1982. 

END 

Published: Mon Mar 30 13:10:54 EDT 2020