James Phillips Berkeley (July 1, 1907 – February 13, 1995) was an officer of the United States Marine Corps who attained the rank of lieutenant general.

His father later received the Medal of Honor during Veracruz Expedition and retired with the rank of major general in the Marine Corps in 1939.

[2] Berkeley's mother, Carrie Anna Phillips, died during his birth and, because of his father's occupation, James was entrusted to the care of his grandfather, who served with the Navy Pay Corps.

[1][2] When Berkeley failed the entrance examination to the Naval Academy, his father gave him a choice: go to work or join the Marine Corps as an enlisted man.

Berkeley spent the next two years on sea duty and took part in her shakedown cruise, during which she visited the Virgin Islands, Cuba, and the Bahamas, before she returned to Philadelphia for post-shakedown repairs.

[1][2] At the beginning of June 1941, Berkeley traveled to Marine Corps Base Quantico, where he was appointed communications officer under Major General Louis M. Little.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Berkeley was promoted to the rank of major in January 1942 and subsequently transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., in March of that year.

He served as Assistant Officer in Charge of the Communications Section within Division of Plans and Policies under Brigadier General Keller E. Rockey.

Later, another inspection tour occurred in August 1943, when he accompanied Lieutenant Colonel Harold O. Deakin and John W. Scott Jr. on a secret mission to London, England and then to the North African theater.

[1][3] Berkeley took part in Salerno Landing in September 1943 as an observer with the 46th British Infantry Division under Major General John Hawkesworth.

Berkeley later had the opportunity to discuss the efficiency of naval gunfire support with Lieutenant General George S. Patton, the 7th U.S. Army commander.

He later recalled General Patton's distaste for and distrust of naval gunfire support, a primary element for successful amphibious operations.

[1] Berkeley returned stateside at the beginning of November 1943 and assumed command of the Field Signal Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California.

Berkeley served under his old superior from Washington, D.C., Major General Keller E. Rockey, and was tasked with the organization of 5th Division Signal operation.

Berkeley assumed temporarily his duties on March 15, 1945, and "coordinated the functioning of a staff badly displaced by casualties, he, without regard for his own personal safety, immediately visited the front line to familiarize himself thoroughly with the situation.

Thereafter his clear thinking, sound vision, and tactical judgment based on information collected in numerous visits to the front line observation posts greatly aided the successful accomplishments of the missions assigned the regiment.

"[4][5] Following the battle, Berkeley returned to command the 5th Division Signal Troops and subsequently was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for bravery in action and received the Navy Presidential Unit Citation.

Berkeley left for Korea in June 1954 and subsequently assumed duties as chief of staff, 1st Marine Division under Major General Robert E. Hogaboom.