Naval History and Heritage Command

PDF version [1.5MB] of Julius M. Berrey biography  

     A Former Merchant Marine Officer, Julius M. Berrey was appointed an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on January 23, 1936. He reported in February 1941 for active naval service and was assigned to the cargo ship USS Spica which was operating in the Alaskan waters when the United States entered World War II.  Aboard the Spica, he subsequently participated in the reoccupation of the Western Aleutian Islands and the occupation of the Marshall Islands. 

        In March 1944 he reported as Commanding Officer of USS Lynx, then operating in the Asiatic-Pacific theater.  Following 20 months of operations in this area, including participation in the Philippine and Okinawa campaigns, the Lynx was decommissioned and Commander Berrey subsequently commanded USS Lenoir and USS Pasig before reporting for duty as Material Officer on the staff of Command SubGroup THREE, San Diego Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet in February 1947.

        Following detachment from COMSUBGRU THREE staff he attended the University of New Mexico for twenty months and the General Line School for ten months.  Upon graduation from the General Line School in June 1950 he reported as Operations Officer for the Shipping Control Authority, Japanese Merchant Marine (SCAJAP), under the cognizance of Commander Naval Forces Far East at Tokyo, Japan.  For outstanding services in that capacity he was awarded a Letter of Commendation with Commendation Ribbon and Pendant.  When SCAJAP was dissolved on April 1, 1952, Commander Berrey was ordered to the staff of Commander Military Sea Transportation Service, Western Pacific as Head of the Contracts Branch.

        In November 1953 he reported to USS San Marcos as Commanding Officer and served in that capacity until August 1955 when he was detached to become Special Project Officer on the Staff of COMSTSPACAREA. In the latter capacity his primary responsibility was in connection with plans and operations for MSTS Arctic Operations, Pacific Force.  Commander Berrey reported to his present duty station as Commanding Officer, Military Sea Transportation Service Office, Long Beach, California in February 1958.

        Commander Berrey was born in New York, New York, on October 1, 1909, son of Max L. and Hannah M. (Schultz) Berrey.  

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