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Karaberis (Constanatine) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10083
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis Personal Papers
source:
Karaberis, Constantine A., Rear Admiral
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10083
Physical Description:
1.37 Cubic Feet
Three (3) 15” x 5” x 10.5” boxes
Date (inclusive): 1926-1993
Abstract: The Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis Personal Papers contains items related primarily to Karaberis' career in the United
States Navy from 1935 to 1969, commanding several bases and ships.
Rear Admiral Karaberis was a career Naval Officer, graduating from the Naval Academy in 1935 and becoming Rear Admiral in
1963. He was Commander of Naval Air Station San Diego in 1967 and retired in 1969.
Karaberis was born in Lewiston, Maine on August 4, 1912. He moved with his family to Manchester, New Hampshire where he later
attended school. He graduated from The City of Manchester Grammar School graduating on June 18, 1926. He attended Manchester
High School Central graduating in June 1930.
Karaberis was admitted into the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD on July 7, 1931 and graduated in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science
degree. He served as a junior officer on the aircraft carrier USS. Saratoga (CV-3). In 1936, after marrying his first wife,
the former Phyllis A. Smith, he reported for flight training at NAS Pensacola Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in
February 1939.
Karaberis reported for duty in the aviation unit of the USS Honolulu (CL-48). He was on board this ship when it was attacked
in December 1941 at Pearl Harbor. After Pearl Harbor, Karaberis was stationed in San Diego. His first wife passed away in
December 1944 in San Diego.
Karaberis became the Executive Officer of the USS Wake Island (CVE-45) in 1945. He was one of the Alaska VP- General Training
Softball Champs in 1949. He also studied at the Naval War College and graduated in 1951. He married the former Avis E. Moore
of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He became the Executive Officer of Naval Air Station Alameda until he was appointed Commander
of the U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron (VR-23) at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan.
From 1960 to 1961, Karaberis was commanding officer on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) and was promoted to Rear Admiral
on August 1, 1963. He commanded several bases and ships until his retirement on June 30, 1969 after 38 years of service.
As a civilian, he was a Director of Community Relations at Southern California First National Bank. He was also on the board
of directors of the San Diego Air and Space Museum and a member of the Advisory Council for the San Diego Boy Scouts of America.
He worked at San Diego Trust and Savings until passing away on February 5, 1987 at the age of 75. His ashes were scattered
at sea. He was survived by his second wife, Avis. She passed away December 11, 1998. Their memorials are located at the United
States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection of Rear Admiral was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum on April 26, 1999. It is open for research
with no restrictions.
Box 1 Size: 15” x 5” x 10.5” contains the papers of Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis. There is correspondence about joining
the Naval Academy, many programs for the Change of Command ceremonies, newspaper clippings about his various posts, his personal
and military files, many awards and letters from the Secretary of the Navy.
Box 2 Size: 15” x 5” x 10.5” contains six decades of official Navy photographs commemorating the ceremonies at the bases he
commanded and various awards he received from 1926 until 1985. Also included in this box is a photograph album with pictures
of friends from Japan.
Box 3 Size 15” x 5” 10.5” contains oversized documents such as a photograph of the 50-year reunion, class of 1935 at the Naval
Academy. There is a large picture of Rear Admiral Constantine Karaberis in his dress uniform and awards from President Franklin
D. Roosevelt as he advanced in rank during World War II.
Digital images from this collection are available for viewing at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/sets/72157636444995806/
A more detailed finding guide is available at http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/collections/collection_item.php?id=128
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Naval Air Station Pensacola (Fla.)
Naval Air Station North Island (Calif.)
Honolulu (Light cruiser : CL-48)
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano)
Naval Air Station Imperial Beach (Calif.)
Alameda Naval Air Station (Calif.)
United States Naval Academy
United States. Navy
Wasp (Aircraft carrier : CVS-18)
Saratoga (Aircraft carrier : CV-3)
Karaberis, Constantine A., Rear Admiral
Karaberis, Constantine A., Rear Admiral