Major Randolph Carter Berkeley, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. At the time he was serving with 1st Battalion, 2d Advanced Base Regiment. Berkeley was 39 years old.
40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Major General.
Berkeley was born on January 9, 1875 in Staunton, Staunton County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Washington, District of Columbia. Berkeley died on January 31, 1960 in Beaufort, South Carolina, at the age of 85. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Berkeley is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 34 credited to District of Columbia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21, 22 April 1914. Maj. Berkeley was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion, was in the fighting of both days, and exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through action. His cool judgment and courage, and his skill in handling his men in encountering and overcoming the machine-gun and rifle fire down Cinco de Mayo and parallel streets account for the small percentage of the losses of marines under his command.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Randolph Carter Berkeley received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in District of Columbia →
Timeline
- January 9, 1875Born in Staunton, Staunton County, Virginia
- April 21, 1914Act of valor — Vera Cruz, MexicoAge 39. 1st Battalion, 2d Advanced Base Regiment
- January 31, 1960Died in Beaufort, South CarolinaAge 85.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Randolph Carter Berkeley (January 9, 1875 – January 31, 1960) was a major general in United States Marine Corps and Medal of Honor recipient. Commissioned a Marine second lieutenant during the Spanish–American War, Berkeley completed over 40 years' active duty in the Marine Corps, including service at sea and in the Philippines, Cuba, Panama, China, Haiti, Nicaragua and Guam. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was awarded the Navy Cross as commander of the 11th Regiment in Nicaragua in 1927, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal as chief of staff of the 2d Marine Brigade in that country in 1928–29.
From the Wikipedia article “Randolph C. Berkeley”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Berkeley — guided missile destroyer
