[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 193 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8674-S8675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO SPECIALIST JOHN O. BERRY, JR.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I stand today to honor an outstanding 
Kentucky hero and patriot, SPC John O. Berry, Jr. SPC Berry is a 
veteran of the Vietnam war who has received numerous awards and 
commendations for his heroism and bravery in serving his country.
  John O. Berry, Jr., of Wayne County, KY, grew up a typical kid--he 
spent his time hanging out with friends, listening to music, and 
enjoying time spent with his brothers and sisters. On September 18, 
1968, however, John answered a call to duty, and his life was forever 
changed when he joined the U.S. Army.
  John received his introduction to the Army and basic training at Fort 
Knox, KY, before being sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, to complete his 
advanced training. Four short months later, John had achieved the honor 
of combat demolition specialist with Company A, 299th Engineer 
Battalion, and was sent to a fire base in North Vietnam.
  John's job was especially dangerous. He was responsible for ensuring 
the roads were free of the many deadly land mines that were 
strategically placed by the Viet Cong. Although scores of Americans 
were killed by these mines, John and other courageous demolition 
engineers were responsible for saving thousands of additional lives by 
dismantling the mines throughout the war.
  Over the years John has received many distinguished awards and honors 
for his bravery and service to our country. Included in these honors 
are two Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals for heroism and 
exceptionally meritorious achievement in the Republic of Vietnam, two 
National Defense medals, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
with Palm, which was awarded by the Republic of Vietnam to those who 
display valor and heroic conduct in combat.
  These awards only represent a small portion of the gratitude we owe 
John for his selflessness and courage. According to the Department of 
the Army's account of a rescue mission in which John's unit was sent to 
aid an ambushed team, ``John distinguished himself by exceptionally 
valorous action. . . . He demonstrated admirable courage and devotion 
to duty as he unflinchingly performed his task without regard to 
personal safety. His actions were in keeping with the highest 
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon 
himself, his unit and the United States Army.''
  Mr. President, I would ask that my Senate colleagues join me in 
thanking SPC John O. Berry, Jr. for his sacrifice and service. John's 
heroism is truly inspiring, and the people of our great Commonwealth 
are grateful for his selflessness and service. The Wayne County Outlook 
recently published an article thanking Specialist Berry and 
highlighting his accomplishments. I ask unanimous consent that the full 
article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record as follows:

             [From the Wayne County Outlook, Nov. 9, 2011]

            Berry Received Medals for Service to His Country

                            (By Harlan Ogle)

       Here's the way the Department of the Army tells the story: 
     He ``distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action . 
     . . while serving as a member of a reactionary force sent to 
     aid the mine sweep team which had been ambushed. . . . When 
     he and other members of the reaction force dismounted their 
     vehicle they immediately came under heavy enemy fire. With 
     complete disregard for his own safety, [he] formed one line 
     with the other members of the force and moved towards the 
     front. He and the others laid down a base of fire which 
     enabled the trapped mine sweep to break contact. The reaction 
     force then advanced still further into the kill zone to 
     continue firing while Delta Company's casualties were carried 
     out. [He] demonstrated admirable courage and devotion to duty 
     as he unflinchingly performed his tasks without regard to his 
     personal safety. His cool-headedness in the face of 
     conditions which would unnerve a weaker man served to inspire 
     his comrades to follow suit. [His] actions were in keeping 
     with the highest traditions of the military service and 
     reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United 
     States Army.''

[[Page S8675]]

       Could these words be a description of the bravery 
     demonstrated by such heroes as Sergeant Alvin York, who is 
     probably the most recognized veteran of World War I? Maybe 
     these words describe Audie Murphy, the most decorated 
     American of World War II?
       No!
       These words describe the man who could be Wayne County's 
     most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War.
       These are words that depict the extreme bravery of a 
     veteran who still lives in our midst. These words describe 
     one of our country's real heroes.
       These are words contained in General Order 847 that 
     officially awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism to 
     John O. Berry, Jr., who presently lives in the Gap of the 
     Ridge community of Wayne County. John is the son of Willie 
     Lee (Sloan) Berry and Johnny Berry.
       He spent his childhood as most any other boy would--going 
     to school, hanging out with his friends, listening to music, 
     growing up with his brothers and sisters: Ted, Fred, George, 
     Stella, Mae, Maggie, and Alene, and just generally enjoying 
     life.
       Until.
       Until September 18, 1968. That's when John became a soldier 
     in Uncle Sam's Army.
       He took his basic training at Fort Knox and advanced 
     training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Just four short 
     months after entering the Army, he was sent to a fire base in 
     North Vietnam.
       He had become a combat demolition specialist with Company 
     A, 299th Engineer Battalion.
       His was a dangerous job because he had the responsibility 
     of clearing the roads of the deadly mines placed by the Viet 
     Cong.
       Thousands of American service men were killed by these 
     mines. However, because of the sacrifice and courage of 
     soldiers like John O. Berry, Jr., thousands of lives were 
     saved as these demolition engineers dismantled the mines.
       Specialist Four John O. Berry, Jr., served his country with 
     dedication and commitment. That service was continually 
     recognized as he received numerous awards and commendations. 
     Some of those distinguished awards include:
       --Two Purple Hearts (a combat decoration awarded to members 
     of the Armed Forces who are wounded by an instrument of war 
     in the hands of the enemy).
       --An Army Commendation Medal with first oak leaf cluster 
     ``for exceptionally meritorious achievement in support of the 
     United States's objectives in the counterinsurgency effort in 
     the Republic of Vietnam . . . . Through his outstanding 
     professional competence and devotion to duty he consistently 
     obtained superior results. Working long and arduous hours, he 
     set an example that inspired his associates to strive for 
     maximum achievement. The loyalty, initiative and will to 
     succeed that he demonstrated at all times materially 
     contributed to the successful accomplishment of the mission 
     of this command.''
       --A second Army Commendation Medal with ``V'' device ``for 
     heroism in the Republic of Vietnam'' distinguishing himself 
     by meritorious achievement and service.
       --Two National Defense medals.
       --Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm awarded by the 
     Vietnam Government to military personnel who have 
     accomplished deeds of valor and displayed heroic conduct 
     while fighting the enemy.
       Eventually John was discharged from the Army, and when he 
     returned to Monticello, he continued serving his country by 
     joining the local National Guard.
       Today, John lives in the Gap of the Ridge community and 
     walks among us as one of our nation's heroes. More 
     especially, John is one of Wayne County's heroes!
       He shares that role with two of his brothers who also 
     served in the military during the Vietnam War: Ted in the 
     Navy and Fred in the Army.
       A grateful community proudly recognizes John O. Berry, Jr., 
     and salutes him and all the other men and women who have 
     sacrificed more than the average citizen will ever know.
       Specialist Four John O. Berry, Jr., we salute you and thank 
     you from the bottom of our hearts for your service to our 
     country!
       On Veterans Day 2011, we pray that you will be able to 
     accept the fact that you are, indeed, an American hero!
       You are our hero!

                          ____________________