World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Barry K. Atkins
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Richmond, Virginia
Honored By
A Grateful American
HE COMMANDED A DESTROYER THAT SANK A JAPANESE BATTLESHIP IN A HISTORIC WWII BATTLE. HE RECEIVED THE NAVY CROSS FOR 'EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM' AS THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE USS MELVIN DURING THE BATTLE OF SURIGAO STRAIT IN THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY HISTORIANS SAY THAT THE 1944 SINKING OF THE JAPANESE VESSEL FUSO WAS THE ONLY INSTANCE IN THE WAR OF A DESTROYER SINKING A BATTLESHIP. HE ALSO SERVED ABOARD THE USS PARROT, USS TENNESSEE AND THE USS NEW MEXICO. HE RECEIVED THE SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR AND OTHER COMMENDATIONS.