Remember...
James Grayson Berry
1945-1965
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear."
Mark Twain
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Remember...James Grayson Berry
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| James Grayson Berry was born on August 6, 1945 in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia. His parents were James William Berry (1906-1957) and Viola Osborne (1919-2008), who later married a Wilson. James's family lived in Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia. James was the oldest of three children: brother Donald H. Berry was one year younger than James and sister Cammie Gay Berry Martin was 11 years younger. James always wanted to make a difference in the world. While growing up, he taught his little sister Cammie how to ride a bike, waited for Santa with her, and was a guide for her. |  |
During James's childhood within Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia, the world was experiencing many new challenges. These challenges included the end of World War II (1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), and the beginning of the Vietnam War (1955-1975). The end of World War II brought many changes and effects on society. The war resulted in the death of millions and caused an increased spike in fear of communism. A few years after the end of World War II, the Korean War, the conflict between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), in which at least 2.5 million persons lost their lives, began. The Korean War was a devastating event and the lives of those lost will always be mourned.
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In June 1950, the war reached international proportions when North Korea, supplied and advised by the Soviet Union, invaded the South. (Allan R. Millett, "Korean War: 1950-1953," Encyclopedia Britannica [online], last updated 30 November 2022, accessed 28 February 23, https://www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War.) Following the Korean War, the causes of the beginning of the Vietnam War were derived from the symptoms, components, and consequences of the Cold War. The causes of the Vietnam War revolve around the simple belief held by America that communism was threatening to expand all over Southeast Asia. The United States was pitted against the Soviet Union. (Ronald H. Spector, "Vietnam War: 1954-1975," Encyclopedia Britannica [online], last updated 13 February 2023, accessed 28 February 2023, https://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War.) The Vietnam War was a costly battle that took the lives of many soldiers, including James. The soldiers lost in this war will always be remembered and mourned. James's childhood was filled with many challenges, but they shaped him into the person that he was. |
Instead of pursuing higher education, James selflessly enlisted into the United States Army with the goal of making a change on August 15, 1963. James had a passion for service and the state of West Virginia, which he represented. James's friend, Marvin Runyon, stated, "We were both from West Virginia and spent many hours talking about our state, family and plans." Even when in service, James still discussed his passion for his state, his family, and his plans for the future. James was a dedicated man who wanted to protect the things he cared for.
James entered the Army with a military occupation skill (MOS) as 11B1P-Infantryman (airborne qualified). His rank was specialist 4 (SP4). More than likely he attended basic and infantry training followed by airborne training and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. SP4 James Berry started his tour in Vietnam on May 5, 1965, and was assigned to E Troop, 17th Cavalry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam.
On March 26, 1963, on the island of Okinawa, the only separate airborne brigade to exist in the history of the U.S. Army was activated. This was the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). Formed to be what would be called in today's jargon a quick-reaction force for the protection of American interests in Asia, the Brigade underwent extensive jungle training on Okinawa and Iriomote. This was followed by parachute jumps in the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan.
During the Taiwan exercises, the locals gave the paratroops of the 173rd the nickname "Tien Bing" (Chinese for Sky Soldier). "The Sky Soldiers" became the official nickname of the Brigade and was commonly used in Brigade newsletters and press releases. A more popular nickname is one that originated from some anonymous pundit in the ranks-- "The Herd."
On May 5, 1965, the Brigade deployed to South Vietnam as the first U.S. Army ground combat unit in that war. Upon arrival, one battalion of the Royal Australian Army and a battery from New Zealand were attached to the Brigade--making the 173rd Airborne the only multinational combat unit in the war.
Initially headquartered in Bien Hoa, the Brigade operated in the four provinces around Saigon (Xuan Loc, Long Khanh, Phuoc Long, and Phuoc Tuy), but (in its role as a "Fire Brigade") also went to the Central Highlands (Pleiku/Kontum) to fight Viet Cong (VC). The 173rd also conducted constant operations against the southern stronghold of the VC main force in the legendary Iron Triangle in War Zone D.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) mission was to penetrate, sweep, and dominate a Viet Cong controlled area known as the "Iron Triangle," located southwest of Ben Cat and west of Highway 13 and 40 kilometers northwest of Saigon. This operation, which began on October 8, 1965, and ended on October 14, was the second phase of the plan to clear the Ben Can environs and open Highway 13 for the introduction of 1st Infantry Division elements into this area. A lightning strike by helicopters following the first B-52 air strike in support of ground troops resulted in 106 VC killed. (Craig Thompson, "History of the 173rd Airborne Brigade," Army Security Agency website, accessed 28 February 2023, http://www.asalives.org/ASAONLINE/173rd.htm.)
On October 14, 1965, while conducting combat operations on a search and destroy mission, B Company, 2/503rd Airborne, was ambushed in the Iron Triangle by a Viet Cong Company. ‘ Twelve men were killed in the action, three from the 173rd's Recon Troop and nine from Bravo 2/503rd Infantry. An enemy land mine detonated near SP4 James G. Berry causing severe trauma to his right leg. SP4 Berry succumbed to his devastating injuries. The following are the casualties of that action:
E Troop, 17th Cavalry
SFC James J. Reilly, Washington, PA
SP4 James G. Berry, Barboursville, WV
PFC Ronnie M. Duncan, Wake Forest, NC
B Co, 2nd Bn, 503rd Infantry
SFC Eugene M. Rick, Coon Rapids, MN
SGT Lawrence A. Franklin, Wenatchee, WA
SP4 Ernest President, Fort Pierce, FL
PFC James W. Floyd, Winston-Salem, NC
PFC Harry E. Himmelreich, Union Beach, NJ
PFC Duane M. Nelson, Sioux City, IA
PFC Wilfred R. Robillard, Manchester, NH
PFC Ronald K. Schukar, Vandalia, IL
PFC Van Williams, New York, NY
(Source: "James Grayson Berry," The Virtual Wall website, accessed 28 February 2023, https://www.virtualwall.org/db/BerryJG01a.htm.)
| SP4 James Grayson Berry's body was recovered and returned to the U.S., where he was laid to rest at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia. SP4 Berry will always be remembered and honored as his name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Panel 02E, Line 115. He is also memorialized at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial located in Charleston, West Virginia. |  |
According to the Virtual Wall website, James received the following awards and decorations: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. ("James Grayson Berry," accessed 28 February 2023, https://www.virtualwall.org/db/BerryJG01a.htm.) It is likely he qualified for others, such as the Army Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
Despite the almost universal fear of battle, James never let it unnerve him. His sister, Cammie Martin, stated, "I know a part of me wishes those years had never happened, but they did and it was your desire to make a difference in our world." James was passionate with his desire to be a part of the change within the country. No matter the risks, he wanted to be an example for others and a change within the world. Cammie went on to say, "I will always have respect for what you and countless others have given for our FREEDOM." ("James Grayson Berry," The Virtual Wall website, accessed 28 February 2023, https://www.virtualwall.org/db/BerryJG01a.htm.) The continued freedom of citizens and the United States was the ultimate goal of James. James gave his life for the freedom of the United States and for those he cared for. James was a caring, loyal, courageous, and determined man.
His friend Marvin Runyon offered this remembrance: "James Berry was someone with whom I spent many hours each day in 1965. He was my driver, but most of all he was my friend. We were both from West Virginia and spent many hours talking about our state, family and plans. We were a three-man unit and worked as one. James Berry, driver, Ronnie Duncan, gunner, and myself as section leader. Most of all we were three men doing our job as required. I will always remember these men and know I lost two great friends on that day. May they both rest in peace and God bless the family." ("James Grayson Berry," The Virtual Wall website, accessed 28 February 2023, https://www.virtualwall.org/db/BerryJG01a.htm.)
Article prepared by by Lily Parker, Amelia Moore, and MAJ (Ret) Brad McGee, George Washington High School JROTC
February 2023
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.