Benjamin S. Berry ’02

Distinguished-Service-Cross
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Benjamin S. Berry
Class of 1902
5th Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Infantry Division AEF

Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fifth Machine-Gun Battalion, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action in the Bois-de-Belleau, northwest of Chateau-Thierry, France. Major Berry led his men in a gallant attack across and into the Bois-de-Belleau on the afternoon of 6 June 1918, inspiring them to deeds of valor by his example. When he reached the edge of the woods he fell, severely wounded. Nevertheless, he arose and made a final dash of 30 yards across an open field through a storm of bullets, and reached again the first wave of his command, before yielding to exhaustion from his injury.

Navy Cross for gallantry in action in the Bois-de-Belleau, northwest of Chateau-Thierry, France.

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