John T. Berry

509th PIA

NAME: John Thomas Berry

ASN: O-396199

PLACE OF BIRTH: Oklahoma

DATE OF BIRTH: 31 August 1916

DATES OF SERVICE:

UNIT ASSIGNED:

B Co. 504th PB

E Co. 2nd Bn 503rd PIR

E Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR

HQ, 1st Bn, 504th PIR

CAMPAIGNS: Algeria - French Morocco,Tunisia, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe

AWARDS: Parachutist Badge with three combat jump stars, Combat Infantrymen Badge, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal,EAME Campaign Medal with Arrowhead and four campaign stars, WWII Victory Mdeal, Army of Occupation Medal, Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Lion of the Netherlands, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, Belgian Fourragere 1940

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:

31 Aug 1916 - Born in Oklahoma

Attended College in Arkansas

00 Feb 1942 - 2nd Lt. Berry assigned to B Co 504th PB as Assistant Platoon Leader

08 Nov 1942 - Capt. Berry assigned to E Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR as Company Commander, participated in Operation TORCH (VILLAIN) the airborne invasion of North Africa was on Plane 1, Seat 1, weight 296 lbs.

15 Nov 1942 - Capt. John T. Berry participates in combat jump at Youks les Bains to sieze airfield

15 Nov 1942 - Captain John T. Berry was wounded

24 Dec 1942 - Capt. John T. Berry O-0396199 2nd Bn 509th PIR GO # 21 3. Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, as amended, a Purple Heart (No. 84633) is awarded to the following named Officer: JOHN T BERRY, Captain, 509th Parachute Infantry, United States Army; for injuries suffered as the result of a parachute jump against an armed enemy, during the Combined operations of the Center Task Force in Northern Africa, 15 November 1942. By order of Major YARDLEY: [Signed] ALAIN JOSEPH 2nd. Lt., Infantry Ass't. Adjutant. page 1

Returned to the US to recover

17 Sep 1944 - Major John T. Berry HQ 1st Bn 504th PIR participates in Operation MARKET-GARDEN the airborne invasion of the Netherlands

00 Dec 1944 - Lt. Col. Berry assigned to HQ, 1st Bn, 504th PIR as Battalion Commander

1945 - Bronze Star Medal second award

00 Jan 1946 - Returned to the US with 1st Bn 504th PIR

Honorably Discharged and Retired as a Colonel

23 Feb 1993 - Passed award in Arkadelphia, AR

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