Burke, Arleigh Albert (1901-1996), was an American naval officer in World War II (1939-1945). He first won recognition during 1943 and 1944 for his excellent handling of destroyers in the South Pacific Ocean . There he acquired the nickname “31-knot Burke.” A knot is a unit of speed used for ships and aircraft. His Destroyer Squadron 23, known as the “Little Beavers,” covered the landings on Bougainville , and fought in 23 separate engagements against the Japanese. Later, Burke served as chief of staff to the commander, Fast Carrier Task Force 58, Admiral Marc Mitscher . During the Korean War (1950-1953), he was deputy chief of staff to the commander of naval forces in the Far East. Later, he became a member of the United Nations Truce Delegation. He became a rear admiral in 1950 and served as chief of naval operations from 1955 to 1961. He retired from the United States Navy in 1961. Burke was born on Oct. 19, 1901, in Boulder, Colorado . He died on Jan. 1, 1996, in Bethesda, Maryland . The destroyer USS Arleigh Burke, launched in 1989, is named in his honor. 
