Vice Admiral Wallace Morris Beakley
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Vice Admiral's Flag
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Vice Admiral Wallace Morris Beakley was born in Vineland, New Jersey, on January 20, 1903, attending local schools before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Winning letters in two sports, he was commissioned an Ensign in the Class of 1924.
After two sea duty stations, he was ordered to the Naval Air Station for flight training, becoming a Naval aviator on November 24, 1926. Service with a number of squadrons followed shortly thereafter. Later he attended the Postgraduate School at Annapolis, Maryland, and the California Institute of Technology, where he received a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
During World War II, VADM BEAKLEY served in many important positions, beginning as commander of the Air Group of the carrier USS WASP, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross “for extraordinary heroism.” An assignment followed on the staff of Commander Air Force, Pacific, for which he received the Legion of Merit for his excellence in tactics, aiding immeasurably in the victories on Marcus and Tarawa Islands. He later assumed command of the USS BLOCK ISLAND, which steamed into Formosa to liberate 1200 Allied personnel from prison camps.
After varied duties, including command of USS MIDWAY and Commander, Anti-Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, VADM BEAKLEY assumed command of U. S. SEVENTH Fleet in January, 1957. Relieved in September, 1958, he now serves as a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D. C.
VADM Beakley is married to the former Ruth Millette. Their home is in Washington, D.C.
(The above information has been copied from the USS Helena CA-75, 1958 - 1959 cruise book)
The following pictures were copied for the USS Helena CA-75, 1957 cruise book
