HONORED ON PANEL 15W, LINE 101 OF THE WALL
DONALD JOSEPH BERGER
WALL NAME
DONALD J BERGER
PANEL / LINE
15W/101
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR DONALD JOSEPH BERGER
POSTED ON 6.14.2012
If I should die...remembrances for CAPT. Donald Joseph BERGER, USMC...who died for our country!!!!!!
If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vgiils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.
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POSTED ON 12.28.2010
POSTED BY: A Marine
Navy Cross Citation
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: 12-Mar-66
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
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: 12-Mar-66
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
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POSTED ON 11.17.2010
POSTED BY: Robert Sage
We Remember
Donald is buried at Mt Calvary Cemetery, Cheektowaga,NY.
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POSTED ON 12.28.2003
POSTED BY: Donald Lytle
Thank you Captain Donald Joseph Berger
Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Donald Joseph Berger, for your courageous and valiant service, your years of faithfully contributing, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!
Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Sir, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!|
Again, thank you Captain Donald J. Berger, for a job well done!
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND
Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Sir, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!|
Again, thank you Captain Donald J. Berger, for a job well done!
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND
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POSTED ON 12.21.2001
POSTED BY: MSgt Don Rondeau USMC ret'd
I was there that day
I was the crew chief of that plane which crash into the mountains at Chu Lai, I knew him but a short time, he assumed the duties as H&MS-13 ops officer about a month before the mishap. It has been said he was the recepient of the Navy Cross twice and this was his third tour in country.
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