RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Retired Adm. Barry K. Atkins, who was at the command when his destroyer sunk a Japanese battleship in a historic World War II battle, died Tuesday, his family said. He was 94.

Atkins, a 1932 Naval Academy graduate who retired from the Navy in October 1959, received the Navy Cross for “extraordinary heroism” as commanding officer of the USS Melvin during the Battle of Surigao Strait in the Philippines.

Military historians believe the sinking of the Japanese Fuso was the only instance in the war of a destroyer sinking a battleship.

On Oct. 25, 1944, a torpedo fired by the Melvin hit the Fuso broadside, triggering a series of explosions that ultimately sunk the Fuso.

The Melvin’s crewmen have been waging an effort to have a ship named in honor of their former commander.

“They are like a Band of Brothers that went through so much together and the events created a bond and connection that none of us can ever understand,” Atkins’ daughter, Sue Keener, wrote of the Melvin’s crewman in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press.

In addition to the Melvin, Atkins served tours of duty on the USS Parrott, USS Tennessee and USS New Mexico, among others, and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and many other ribbons and commendations.

Atkins is survived by four children.

Services with full military honors will be held Jan. 30 at Arlington National Cemetery.