THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

Private First Class Barry Howard Berger, Served with Company G, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger), Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR PFC BERGER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRYMAN. IT IS 2017, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. IT IS ALSO PRESIDENTS' DAY WEEKEND. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS REST IN PEACE.

On January 10, 1971, SSGT David L. Meyer and PFC Barry H. Berger were members of two long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) teams (call signs Maine and Michigan) from G Company, 75th Infantry, Americal Division, on a combat operation in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. The evening after their insertion, they engaged an enemy force estimated at 12 NVA/VC. Two members of their team were wounded and a PRC-25 radio was damaged. At 2058 hours a flare ship was diverted to their location to provide illumination over the battlefield. At 2130 hours, enemy elements fired two B-40 rockets at their position, damaging a second PRC-25 radio. Thirty minutes later, 15 enemy soldiers were observed north of their position who attacked them with small arms and hand grenades. An attempt was made to extract the team members by McGuire rig. In two separate lifts, four were successfully extracted. On the third attempt, Meyer and Berger were being lifted out when the rope broke as the sling was dragged through the trees. Both soldiers suffered fatal injuries. At 0038 hours on January 11th, a 22-man reaction force repelled into the position of the besieged patrol teams. PFC Berger’s remains were recovered at 0800 hours on January 11th. SSGT Meyer’s remains were recovered ten days later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear PFC Barry Howard Berger, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter