Rear Adm. Allen Alfred Bergner was born in Kankakee, Ill., on May 29, 1916. He attended Kankakee High School; Onarga Military Academy; Northwestern University; and St. John’s College in Annapolis, prior to entering the U. S. Naval Academy in 1936.

As a midshipman, he was captain of the Navy football team in 1939, captain of the Navy wrestling team in 1940 and graduated on June 6, 1940 as an ensign. His first tour of duty was on board USS West Virginia (BB-48) and he was attached to that battleship when it was sunk on Dec. 7, 1941 as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Later that month, he reported to USS Tambor (SS-198) and in 1943, he joined the staff of commander, Submarine Division 61 as engineer; He next became the executive officer and navigator on board USS Oar (SS-206).

He took command of USS S-47 (SS-148) in December, 1944 and in October, 1945 he commanded USS Saury (SS-189).

His next tour of duty was under instruction in Naval Engineering at the Postgraduate School in Annapolis, Md. From June, 1948 to June, 1 1949, he was an instructor in the department of Marine Engineering at the Naval Academy. He served as executive officer of USS Diodon (SS 349) and in April, 1950, he became commanding officer of USS Pomodon (SS-486). From June, 1952 to July, 1954, he was an instructor at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Bergner was next assigned as operations officer on the staff of commander, Submarine Squadron Six. In August, 1955, he reported as commander, Submarine Division 62.

Between August, 1956 and July, 1958, he served as prospective commanding officer instructor and assistant officer in charge, Submarine School, New London, Conn. Completing the course in Naval Warfare at the Naval War College in 1959, he remained there as planning officer in the Command and Staff Department until June, 1961.

He commanded USS Orion (AS-18) until August, 1962 and then served as assistant chief of staff for readiness to commander, Antisubmarine Warfare Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In June, 1964, he assumed command of Submarine Squadron Six and in August, 1965, he reported as director of the liaison and special studies division, office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

In November, 1967, he became commander of Naval Training Center, San Diego. In October, 1969, he assumed command of Service Group Three and for exceptionally meritorious service as commander, Task Force 73 and commander, Service Group Three, from October, 1969 to October, 1970 he was awarded the Legion of Merit.

In November, 1970, he became Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Education and Training, Navy Department and in August, 1971, he reported as chief of Naval Technical Training, headquartered at Millington, Memphis, Tenn. He remained here until his retirement from military service on July 1, 1972. In addition to his Legion of Merit, Adm. Bergner received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat ‘V’; the Navy Commendation Medal; the American Defense Service Medal, fleet clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal with Bronze star; Korean Service Medal;, United Nation Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He also received the submarine combat insignia with six stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

Adm. Bergner retired to the east coast of Virginia.

Al's first duty was in USS WEST VIRGINIA, standing top engineering watches until the ship was sunk on 7 December 1941. About December 11, 1941, at Pearl Harbor, Al was informed that the Submarine Force needed officers badly; he volunteered, (as did Tom MaGrath and Ed O'Brien) and within a few minutes, Al was reporting to USS TAMBOR without benefit of Submarine School. TAMBOR departed for war patrols, took part in the Battle of Midway. In spite of the deep running torpedoes and exploders that crushed on impact, the ship did well. After serving on COMSUBDIV 61's staff in Perth, in February, 1944, Al went out as X.O. of USS GAR. This tour included the rescue of thirteen aviators off YAP. December, 1944: Al became CO of USS S-47, an old boat that was a continuing emergency drill.

In 1945, Al took command of USS SAURY (SS-189), and prepared the ship for Nuclear Tests at ENIWETOK, but the orders were canceled. 1946 to 1948: the two-year Engineering Course at the PG School. In 1948, he was an instructor in Marine Engineering at the Academy, and a year later, went to be X.O. of USS DIODON, then to C.O. of USS POMODON. A highlight of this tour was a "peace-time" war patrol off VLADIVOSTOK. Next, two years at the ARMED FORCES STAFF COLLEGE as an instructor. While COMSUBDIV 62 in 1965, Al took two of his boats to the ARCTIC OCEAN to test gyros in high latitudes. 1956 to 1958: Submarine School, first as PCO Instructor, and then as XO. The Polaris Program was just getting off the ground, nuclear power was moving in, and the Foreign PCOs were an education. 1958 to 1960: NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, as a student and a second year on the staff. Then came command of USS ORION (AS-18) and in 1962 , Readiness Officer, COMASWFORLANT -- highlight: CUBAN missile crisis. June, 1964: COMSUBRON 6, and a year later, to CNO (OF-95), and while there, was selected for Flag Rank. November, 1967: First Flag Officer's billet: CO NTC San Diego, where Al exceeded the goals SECNAV had set for this command. Al's Vietnam duty came in 1969, as COMSERVGRU/RON 3, based in SASEBO, mostly spent in SUBIC and VIETNAM, providing logistics support for the war. In 1970, a short tour in NAVPERS as head of Education/Training, and in September, 1971, Chief of Naval Technical Training at Millington, TN. In June, 1972, he retired.

After a very satisfying naval career, the Bergners moved to Pungateague Creek on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and built a house they had designed a few years before: a rural community, many retirees, few ex-military. Both Jayne and Al are involved in community and country club activities. Their son, Ion, (USNA '68), now Captain, is Repair Officer, PHILANAVSHIPYD. Their daughter, Barbara, in Annapolis, has two sons, and with Jon's two, gives them four grandsons.