Pfc. Don Berry Reported “Killed In Action”
Presumably authentic but yet somewhat confusing and conflicting reports have been received from the War Department by Mrs. Clyde Hill of Corning, concerning her brother, Pfc. Don Berry. Last November Berry was reported missing in action in France and the official date was given as November 12, 1944. Last Sunday morning a telegram was received from the War Department correcting the missing in action report and stating that Pfc. Berry was killed in action December 15, 1944.
The confusing part of the information is the fact that early in April of this year, Mrs. Hill received from the War Department a telegram which gave quite a detailed account of the mission in which Pfc. Berry was listed as missing. This telegram, in part, said:
“Mission – establishing bridgehead across Moselle river at Thiouville, France. On November 12, 1944, Pfc Berry was a member of a boat crew concerned with river crossing operations. In the middle of the river, due to its swift current, the boat overturned. Since the occurrence, there has been no further word as to the whereabouts of your brother.”
In view of the above information and the corrected information received this week, relatives of Berry are still somewhat confused, although the information received Sunday plainly stated it was a “corrected report” and the War Department regretted the unavoidable circumstances which caused the delay of authentic information being released.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, May 10, 1945, Page 1
Memorial Next Sunday
For Pfc. Don S. Berry
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 next Sunday afternoon at the Lincoln Center church, northwest of Carbon, for Pfc. Don S. Berry, who was killed in action at Thionville, France, November 12, 1944. The service will be in charge of Rev. Orley White of Grant. A tribute to Pfc. Berry will be given by Rev. Harry K. Rogers of Mt. Etna and Ourcq Post, American Legion of Corning will take part in the service.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, June 28, 1945, Page 1
OBITUARIES
PFC. DON S. BERRY
Private First Class Don Stillman Berry, youngest child of the late Geo. W. and Lizzie Berry, was born on the home farm in Lincoln Township, Adams County, Iowa, Sept. 24, 1906 and was killed in action near Thionville, France, Nov. 12, 1944, while serving with the 378 Inf. 95 Division.
The Chaplain wrote “that while a boat crew of eight men were attempting to establish a Bridgehead across the Moselle River and due to facing heavy enemy fire, the entire crew was killed in action.”
“Private First Class Don S. Berry proved himself in combat to be both fearless and heroic and won for him the greatest respect of his Officers and comrades.
“A memorial was held in his honor.”
He was awarded the Purple Heart post-humously.
He sent his entire life on the farm with his parents. He attended Corning High School but due to his father’s failing health he was unable to finish. His parents having passed on, he enlisted in the service of his country July 10, 1942, received his basic training at Camp Claiborne, La., Fort Sam Huston, Texas, Los Angeles, Calif., Indiantown Gap, Pa., and from there overseas landing in England, Aug. 23, 1944.
He is survived by four sisters and one brother; Mrs. Florence Hill of Corning; Mrs. Grace Brown of Des Moines; Mrs. Wylma [illegible], Dotty Marie Berry of Bervard, N. C., and O. V. Berry of Mt. Etna, a number of nephews and nieces.
Memorial service was held Sunday, July 1, at 2:30 p. m., at the Lincoln Center Church. The services were conducted by Rev. Orley White. A very impressive tribute was given by Rev. Harry K. Rogers. Mrs. Beryl Roberts and Mrs. Stanley Evans sang two beautiful selections accompanied by Mrs. Orley White.
Mrs. Frank Gaskill and Mrs. Orlo Drennan were in charge of the Floral arrangements. Donald Drennan and Francis Gaskill acted as ushers. The American Legion was in charge of the closing services.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, July 05, 1945, Page 8 (photograph included)
Don S. Berry is buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
