Cpl. Charles Joseph Berry
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Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth Lorain, Ohio
Place of death KIA at Iwo Jima
Place of burial Initially the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima,
later reinterred in Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain, Ohio
Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1941-1945
Rank Corporal Unit 1st Battalion, 26th Marines Battles/wars World War II *Battle of Iwo Jima Awards Medal of Honor Purple Heart
Charles Joseph Berry (July 10, 1923-March 3, 1945) was a Corporal in the Marine Corps who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of a Machine-gun Crew, serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action 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 gun crew 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. Stouthhearted 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 United States Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country. /S/HARRY S. TRUMAN
