Anton Otto Fischer
(1882-1962)
Title- "Battle of Cape St. George"
Medium- Oil On Canvas
Signed- Lower Right
Size- 20"x 28"
Exposure- From the estate of Admiral Arleigh A. Burke
presented to him by President John F. Kennedy.
Provenance- Admiral Arleigh Burke and Mrs. Roberta Burke then by descent
to Dr. Patrick Ward. Photo depicts JFK and Burke at a
Rose Garden Ceremony in Burke's honor. Tradition states
that JFK gifted Burke this painting. There is a Title Plaque
on the frame that reads: From the estate of Admiral Arleigh Burke
Price- $4,500.
BIOGRAPHY OF ADMIRAL ARLEIGH A. BURKE, UNITED STATES NAVY, RETIRED
Arleigh A. Burke was born far from the sea in Boulder, Colorado, on October 19,
1901. On June 8, 1923, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, commissioned
ensign in the United States Navy, and married to Miss Roberta Gorsuch of
Washington, D.C. Throughout his professional career, Arleigh Burke had prepared
himself for combat with the enemy having served in battleships, destroyers, and
having received the degree of Master of Science in Engineering at the University
of Michigan. Then, when World War II came, he found himself, to his great
disappointment, in a shore billet at the Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C.
After persistent effort on his part, he received orders to the South Pacific
where, under Admiral Halsey, he successively commanded Destroyer Division 43,
Destroyer Division 44, Destroyer Squadron 12, and Destroyer Squadron 23. This
later squadron, known as the "Little Beavers" covered the initial landings in
Bougainville in November 1943, and fought in 22 separate engagements during the
next four months. During this time, the "Little Beavers" were credited with
destroying one Japanese cruiser, nine destroyers, one submarine, several smaller
ships, and approximately 30 aircraft. Because he pushed his destroyers just
under boiler-bursting speed, he became known as "31-Knot Burke." From Destroyer
Command in the South Pacific, he reported in March 1944 as Chief of Staff to
Commander, Fast Carrier Task Force 58, Admiral Marc Mitscher. While serving with
this famed carrier force, Arleigh Burke was promoted to commodore, and
participated in all its naval engagements until June 1945 shortly before the
surrender of Japan. He flew many combat missions. He was aboard both BUNKER HILL
and ENTERPRISE when they were hit by Japanese suicide planes during the Okinawa
campaign. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Admiral Forrest Sherman, then CNO,
ordered Admiral Burke to duty as Deputy Chief of Staff to Commander Naval
Forces, Far East. From there, he assumed command of Cruiser Division Five, and
in July 1951 he was made a member of United Nations Truce Delegation to
negotiate with the Communists for military armistice in Korea. After six months
in the truce tents, he returned to the Office of Chief of Naval Operations where
he served as Director of Strategic Plans Division until 1954. In April 1954, he
took command of Cruiser Division Six, and in January 1955 assumed command of
Destroyer Force Atlantic Fleet in which capacity he served until he succeeded
Admiral Robert B. Carney as Chief of Naval Operations in August 1955. He served
an unprecedented three terms in that duty before being transferred to the
Retired List on Aug. 1, 1961. Admiral Burke has received numerous combat awards
during his forty-two years in the Navy including the Distinguished Service
Medal, the Navy Cross, the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart. But none are
more cherished than two awards which came early in his career. In 1928 while
serving aboard the USS PROCYON, he was commended for the "rescue of shipwrecked
and seafaring men," and in 1939 while serving in his first command, USS MUGFORD,
he was commended when his destroyer won the fleet gunnery trophy with the
highest score that had been achieved in many years. His ship also stood third in
engineering competition and high in communication competition.
List of Citations which have been awarded to Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, U. S.
Navy, Retired
For his service in Destroyer Squadron 23, Admiral Burke was awarded the
Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Cross, the Legion of Merit, and is
entitled to the Ribbon for, and a facsimile of, the Presidential Unit Citation
awarded Destroyer Squadron 23. The citations follow in part:
Distinguished Service Medal: "For exceptionally meritorious service to the
Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding
Officer of a Destroyer Division and subsequently a Destroyer Squadron operating
against enemy Japanese forces in the South Pacific Area from early February to
December 1, 1943. Throughout this period, Captain Burke led his forces in many
offensive operations... His indomitable fighting spirit and great personal
courage contributed directly to the success of our forces in that area and were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Navy Cross: "For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service...as the
commander of a destroyer squadron operating in the Northern Solomon Islands area
during the period from midnight October 30 to noon November 2, 1943. (His)
squadron, as a part of a task force, participated in the first bombardment of
the Buka-Bonis area and in the first daylight bombardment of the Shortland
area... During the night of November 1-2, a heavier gunned Japanese naval force
was met and decisively defeated with the loss to the enemy of one cruiser and
four destroyers sunk, and an additional two cruisers and two destroyers damaged.
The action contributed much to the success of our operations at Empress Augusta
Bay. Thereafter, a heavy air attack by sixty-seven enemy dive bombers was fought
off with a total of seventeen enemy planes being destroyed..."
Legion of Merit (with Combat "V"): "For exceptionally meritorious conduct...as
Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three, in action against enemy Japanese
forces northwest of the Bismarck Archipelago, at Kavieng, New Ireland, and Duke
of York Island, February 17 to 23, 1944... (He) expertly directed his squadron
in destroying two Japanese naval auxiliary vessels, one large cargo ship, a mine
layer, four barges and inflicting severe damage on enemy shore installations and
subsequently effected a skillful withdrawal without damage to his vessels..."
Presidential Unit Citation to Destroyer Squadron 23: "For extraordinary heroism
in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Solomon Islands Campaign,
from November 1, 1943 to February 23, 1944... Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three
operated in daring defiance of repeated attacks by hostile air groups, closing
the enemy's strongly fortified shores to carry out sustained bombardments
against Japanese coastal defenses and render effective cover and fire support
for the major invasion operations in this area ... The brilliant and heroic
record achieved by Destroyer Squadron Twenty-three is a distinctive tribute to
the valiant fighting spirit of the individual units in this indomitable combat
group of each skilled and courageous ship's company..."
As Chief of Staff, Commander Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific (Task Force 38),
Admiral Burke was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Distinguished
Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Legion
of Merit, and a Letter of Commendation, with authorization to wear the Commends
Ribbon. The citations follow in part:
Gold Star in lieu of Second Distinguished Service Medal: "For... outstanding
service...as Chief of Staff to Commander First Carrier Task Force, Pacific,
during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War from December 15,
1945 to May 15, 1945... Commodore Burke was in large measure responsible for the
efficient control under combat conditions of the tactical disposition, the
operation, the security and the explosive offensive power of his task force in
its bold and determined execution of measures designed to force the capitulation
of the Japanese Empire...throughout the seizure of bases at lwo Jima and
Okinawa, including two carrier strikes on Tokyo, a carrier strike on the Kure
Naval Base, and engagement with the Japanese Fleet on April 7, in which several
hostile man-o-war were destroyed by our aircraft..."
Silver Star Medal: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Chief of Staff
to Commander First Carrier Task Force in action against enemy Japanese forces in
the Pacific War Area, May 11, 1945. When the flagship on which he was embarked
was hit by two enemy suicide dive bombers, Commodore Burke proceeded to a
compartment in which personnel were trapped by fire and heavy smoke, and
succeeded in evacuating all hands. When the flagship to which he had removed his
staff was in turn hit by a suicide plane on May 14, he again arranged for the
transfer of his command to a new ship. In spite of all difficulties, he
maintained tactical control of the Task Force throughout, thereby contributing
materially to the success of the operations..."
Gold Star in lieu of the Second Legion of Merit: "For exceptionally meritorious
conduct...as Chief of Staff to Commander, Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet,
from March 27 to October 30., 1944... (He) planned and executed a long series of
successful offensive operations in support of the reduction of the other
perimeter of Japanese defenses in New Guinea, the Carolines, the Marianas,
Halmshera, and the Philippine Islands. Largely as a result of Commodore Burke's
superb professional skill, tireless energy and coolness of decision throughout
these operations and during repeated air attacks carried out in strength against
heavily fortified strongholds in enemy-controlled waters, the Pacific Fleet has
been brought within range of the Japanese Empire itself to continue our
relentless drive against the enemy."
Letter of Commendation: "For distinguishing himself in action with the enemy,
while serving as a Chief of Staff to Commander First Carrier Task Force, Pacific
on 11 May 1945. When the ship in which he was embarked was hit by two enemy
aircraft...with utter disregard for his personal safety, (he) efficiently
organized the evacuation of endangered personnel. His courage together with his
prompt and efficient action was responsible for saving these men..."
Admiral Burke is also entitled to wear the Presidential Unit Citation presented
to the USS BUNKER HILL, the Presidential Unit Citation presented to the USS
LEXINGTON, and the Navy Unit Commendation presented to the USS ENTERPRISE. Those
vessels were, at various times during his period of service, flagships of the
Fast Carrier Task Forces in the Pacific.
From September 1950 until May 1951, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff to
Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Far East, and, for "exceptionally meritorious
conduct (in that capacity) from 3 September 1950 to 1 January 1951..." he was
awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the third Legion of Merit. The citation further
states:
"Bringing a sound knowledge of Naval Administration and professional skill to
his assigned task, Rear Admiral Burke reorganized the rapidly expanded staff to
meet its ever increasing responsibilities and, through his unusually fine
conception of the essentials of modern warfare, materially improved the mutual
functioning of the operation, plans and intelligence sections of the
staff...(and) contributed immeasurably to the success of Naval operations in the
Korean theater..."
While serving as Commander Cruiser Division Five from May to September 1951, and
also as a Member of the Military Armistice Commission in Korea, Admiral Burke
was awarded an oak leaf cluster in lieu of the Fourth Legion of Merit by the
Army (Headquarters U.S. Army Forces, Far East) by General Order #5, as follows:
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding
services as a delegate with the United Nations Command (Advance) in Korea, from
9 July to 5 December 1951. Admiral Burke's keen discernment and decisive
judgment were of inestimable value in countering enemy intransigence,
misrepresentation and evasion with reasoned negotiation demonstrable truth and
conciliatory measures. As advisor to the Chief Delegate on all phases of the
Armistice Conferences, he proffered timely recommendations for solutions of the
varied intricate problems encountered. Through skillful assessment of enemy
capabilities, dispositions, and vulnerable abilities and brilliant guidance of
supporting Staff officers (he) significantly furthered progression toward
success of the United Nation's first armed bid for world peace."
Admiral Burke was presented a Gold Star in lieu of a Third Distinguished Service
Medal by President John F. Kennedy at the White House on July 26, 1961.
In addition to the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with two Gold
Stars, the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars and Oak Leaf Cluster (Army), the
Silver Star Medal, the Commendation Ribbon, the Purple Heart Medal (for wounds
received while serving on board the USS CONWAY during July 1943), the
Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with three stars, and the Navy Unit
Commendation Ribbon, Admiral Burke earned the American Defense Service Medal,
Fleet Clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver stars and two
bronze stars (twelve engagements); the American Campaign Medal; World War II
Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Europe Clasp; the National Defense
Service Medal; the Philippine Liberation Ribbon; Korean Service Medal; and
United Nations Service Medal. He also has been awarded the Ui Chi Medal and the
Presidential Unit Citation from the Republic of Korea and the Order of the
Rising Sun, First Class by the Government of Japan.