THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Navy Cross citation attests to your courage and devotion to our country. May you rest in eternal peace.

Donald........Honoring you on your birthday.......a true Hero......God Bless

On December 28, 1969, a Douglas C-117D (#17284) from Marine Air Base Squadron 13 (MABS-13), Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), crashed into the side of a mountain approximately 10 miles southwest of Chu Lai while checking out a piece of Chu Lai Air Base navigation equipment. The aircraft was piloted by LTC Douglas L. Snead, the Squadron Commanding Officer, and CAPT Donald J. Berger, the squadron Flight Officer. SGT William L. Bunch was the crew chief and CPL Ronald F. Liscum of Marine Base Squadron-13 was the radio operator. Their flight was using new navigational gear and also topographical maps. They were flying in the clouds and attempting to calibrate altitude correctly using the topo map. However, it appeared that one of the elevation rings was not identified very clearly, and they were 100' lower than actual. They collided with the top of one of the peaks which killed all four on board instantly and spread the wreckage over about a 100-yard area across the mountaintop. SGT Bunch's body was the only one recovered intact as he was thrown clear of the main wreckage and died on impact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Paul Cavnar (December 2017)]

Donald Joseph Berger
Date of birth: September 12, 1931
Date of death: DNB: December 28, 1969
Home of record: Williamsville New York
Status: DNB

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Navy Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant Donald Joseph Berger (MCSN: 0-64100), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as an Aircraft Commander with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-163), First Marine Aircraft Wing, in operations in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 and 12 March 1966. Lieutenant Berger was assigned to participate in a mission to evacuate a large number of American and Vietnamese personnel from the besieged garrison at A Shau. Controlling his aircraft with exceptional skill, he hovered over the trees thirty to fifty feet tall while the stranded personnel were hoisted aboard. After discharging the passengers at Heu Phu Bai, Lieutenant Berger returned to A Shau and was directed to another clearing where two Special Forces personnel and six Vietnamese soldiers awaited rescue. Since jungle growth prevented landing, he was attempting to hoist the defenders aboard when hostile automatic weapons fire damaged the tail pylon of his aircraft, causing complete loss of tail rotor control. Exhibiting great presence of mind, Lieutenant Berger effected a controlled crash landing and promptly instructed the copilot and one of the crewmembers to board another rescue helicopter. Due to the darkness and inclement weather precluding further rescue attempts, he calmly guided the outpost defenders through difficult terrain where they encountered and successfully fought off an enemy patrol. After putting a defensive plan into action and maintaining a watch throughout the night, he moved the group to another location at first light, then signaled for help and succeeded in getting a rescue aircraft to hoist the exhausted men aboard. His stalwart effort was directly responsible for saving his crewmen, as well as the group of outpost survivors, from capture or death at the hands of the Viet Cong. By his intrepid fighting spirit, brilliant initiative and fortitude in the face of grave danger, and unfaltering dedication to duty, Lieutenant Berger upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

Action Date: March 12, 1966

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Company: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (HMM-163)

Regiment: Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16)

Division: 1st Marine Aircraft Wing

Captain Donald Joseph Berger, Served with Marine Air Base Squadron 13 (MABS-13), Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), Third Marine Amphibious Force.