FRED M. PERKINS, CDR, USN

Fred Perkins '06

Date of birth: June 3, 1887

Date of death: December 22, 1924

Age: 37

Lucky Bag

From the 1906 Lucky Bag:

Fred Milton Perkins

Salem, Oregon

"Widow," "Perk"

Tried baseball but was turned down on account of his youth. The youngest man in the class. At first would believe anything, but has grown quite foxy of late. Shaped like an old apple tree. Highly original; fasted four days, set his alarm clock for midnight, then ate six oranges and ten bananas. Champion of the tennis court football team. Wears his plebe clothes at times with a Buster Brown effect. Wants the Pacific station.

Buzzard (1); Class Color Committee; Socker Squad (1); President Anti-cigarette League of Oregon (6, 5), of U. S. N. A. Cigarette Club (4, 3, 2, 1).

Fred Milton Perkins

Salem, Oregon

"Widow," "Perk"

Tried baseball but was turned down on account of his youth. The youngest man in the class. At first would believe anything, but has grown quite foxy of late. Shaped like an old apple tree. Highly original; fasted four days, set his alarm clock for midnight, then ate six oranges and ten bananas. Champion of the tennis court football team. Wears his plebe clothes at times with a Buster Brown effect. Wants the Pacific station.

Buzzard (1); Class Color Committee; Socker Squad (1); President Anti-cigarette League of Oregon (6, 5), of U. S. N. A. Cigarette Club (4, 3, 2, 1).

Loss

Fred was lost on December 22, 1924 when the aircraft he was aboard crashed near San Diego. He was "gunnery officer for the Pacific Fleet" at the time.

He was survived by his wife and two children. He is buried in Oregon.

Career

Early in his career he served aboard USS Princeton (Gunboat No. 13).

Navy Cross

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Fred Milton Perkins, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Force Engineer and later as Secretary of Cruises and Transport Force and temporarily as Chief of Staff during World War I.
Service: Navy
Division: Cruises and Transport Force

Army Distinguished Service Medal

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Fred Milton Perkins, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I, as Flag Secretary to the Commander, Cruiser and Transport Fleet. Commander Perkins' close cooperation with the Army authorities in the handling of troop ships contributed greatly to the successful outcome of our oversea operations.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 116 (1919)
Service: Navy
Division: Cruiser and Transport Fleet

Class of 1906

Fred is one of 8 members of the Class of 1906 on Virtual Memorial Hall.