PARAMARINES Berry, Charles Joseph

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Berry
  • FORENAME
Charles Joseph
  • UNIT
former 1 Marine Parachute Regiment
  • RANK
Corporal
  • NUMBER
323372
  • DATE OF DEATH
3rd March 1945
  • AGE
21
  • GRAVESITE
Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio Lot 5248 Grave 1
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Lorain, Ohio
born 10.7.1923 Lorain, Ohio
son of Carl (1906-1981) and Caroline (nee Wolf) Berry (1905-1971)
graduated Clearview High School, Lorain 1941
truck driver in civilian life
entered service 1.10.1941 Cleveland, Ohio
PFC 2.6.1942
1 Marine Parachute Bn 1942-43
1 Marine Parachute Regiment 1943-44
26th Marine Regiment (1 Bn) 1944-45
Corporal 22.7.1944
KIA Iwo Jima
awarded Medal of Honor
 

DATE OF DEATH:

03-Mar-1945

CITATION:

Medal of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Charles Joseph Berry, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as member of a machinegun crew, serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 3 March 1945. Stationed in the front lines, Corporal Berry manned his weapon with alert readiness as he maintained a constant vigil with other members of his guncrew during the hazardous night hours. When infiltrating Japanese soldiers launched a surprise attack shortly after midnight in an attempt to overrun his position, he engaged in a pitched hand grenade duel, returning the dangerous weapons with prompt and deadly accuracy until an enemy grenade landed in the foxhole. Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and immediately dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, Corporal Berry fearlessly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against a ruthless enemy and his superb valor and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/443

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8602385/charles-joseph-berry
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First to Fight
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