Frank Berrien

Frank Dunn Berrien (August 17, 1877 – January 31, 1951) was an American football coach and United States Navy officer who served during six conflicts. He was the 13th head football coach for the United States Naval Academy located in Annapolis, Maryland and he held that position for three seasons, from 1908 until 1910. His coaching record at Navy was 21–5–3.[1] As commanding officer of the USS Nicholson, he fought in the action of 17 November 1917 and subsequently received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.[2]

Frank Berrien
Born(1877-08-17)August 17, 1877
Galesburg, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 31, 1951(1951-01-31) (aged 73)
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Place of burial
U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland
AllegianceUnited States United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1898, 1900–1935, 1942
RankRear Admiral
Commands held
Battles/wars
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Other workFootball coach at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Biography

Born in Galesburg, Illinois and raised in Iowa, Berrien graduated from Clinton High School in 1895.[3] Appointed to the Naval Academy, he played right end on the football team and second base on the baseball team.[4] During the Spanish–American War, Berrien served aboard the protected cruiser USS Cincinnati. After graduating in June 1900, he served in the Asiatic Squadron during both the Boxer Rebellion and the Philippine–American War.[3] On November 9, 1907, Berrien married Mary Elizabeth Whittelsey in New Haven, Connecticut.[5]

As head coach in 1909

Back at the Naval Academy as head football coach, Berrien also served as an instructor of ordnance and gunnery.[6] From March 1911 to June 1914, he served as the first commanding officer of the destroyer USS Trippe.[7] From April to May 1914, Trippe conducted patrol operations in support of the occupation of Veracruz. In 1917, Berrien graduated from the Naval War College. During World War I, he commanded the destroyers Nicholson and Wilkes. Just before the Armistice, Berrien served as commanding officer of the hospital ship USS Comfort during her voyage from New York City to Brest, France.[3]

From 1921 to 1923, Berrien was given command of the submarine base at New London, Connecticut.[3] He was promoted to captain in June 1922.[8] From 1923 to 1925, Berrien commanded the European destroyer squadron of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He then attended the Army War College, graduating in 1926.[3] From 1926 to 1928, Berrien served as a professor of naval science and tactics at Yale University.[9][10] From June to August 1928, he was a student at the naval air station at Pensacola, Florida, earning his naval aviation observer rating.[11] From August 1928 to June 1930, Berrien was the second commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington.[12] From 1930 to 1934, he served as captain of the yard at the Washington Navy Yard.[3]

From 1934 to 1935, Berrien was assigned to the hydrographic yard in Boston, Massachusetts.[10] He retired from active duty on June 30, 1935 and was advanced to rear admiral on the retired list based on his service record.[13] From March to July 1942, he was the only member of the Naval Academy Class of 1900 who returned to active duty during World War II. He was assigned to the 12th Naval District, where he supervised troop convoys between San Francisco, California and Australia.[3][10]

In addition to his Distinguished Service Medal, Berrien was made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George by the United Kingdom for his World War I service and a commander of the Order of the Saviour by Greece.[3][14] He died at his home in New Haven, Connecticut at the age of 73.[10]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Navy Midshipmen (Independent) (1908–1910)
1908 Navy 9–2–1
1909 Navy 4–3–1
1910 Navy 8–0–1
Navy: 21–5–3
Total:21–5–3

References
  1. Navy Midshipmen football coaching records Archived December 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Frank Dunn Berrien". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  3. "Frank Dunn Berrien". Naval History and Heritage Command. January 24, 2019. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  4. Lucky Bag. Annapolis, Maryland: U.S. Naval Academy. 1900. pp. 57–58. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  5. "Married: Berrien—Whittelsey". Army and Navy Journal. Vol. XLV, no. 11. November 16, 1907. p. 282. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  6. Lucky Bag. Annapolis, Maryland: U.S. Naval Academy. 1910. pp. 22–23. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  7. "USS Trippe (DD-33)". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  8. Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. January 1, 1934. p. 18. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  9. "Catalogue of the Undergraduate Schools: Professors". Bulletin of Yale University. Vol. 23, no. 15. New Haven, Connecticut. April 15, 1927. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  10. "Admiral Berrien, Navy Veteran, 73: Commander of Destroyer That Captured U-58 in 1917 Dies— Coached Annapolis Football" (PDF). The New York Times. February 2, 1951. p. 21. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  11. "Capt. Frank D. Berrien to Command Lexington: Succeeds Rear Admiral Albert W. Marshall on Navy's New Aircraft Carrier". The Washington Post. August 3, 1928. p. 5. ProQuest 149901524. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  12. "USS Lexington (CV-2)". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  13. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. July 1, 1942. p. 578. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  14. Register of Alumni: Graduates and Former Naval Cadets and Midshipmen. The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc. July 1, 1956. p. 169. Retrieved 2023-08-21.


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