THE WALL OF FACES

Jack Berkebile
Date of birth: 11-Aug-31
Date of death: November 23, 1968
Home of record: Johnstown Pennsylvania
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Jack Berkebile (NSN: 672263), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 23 November 1968. Lieutenant Berkebile, as Officer-in-Charge of River Division 552, deployed three patrol boats in the area of a suspected Viet Cong river crossing point. After supervising preparations which included stationing a mobile ground reaction force nearby and arranging for air cover by armed Navy helicopters, he took personal charge of the patrol and proceeded to the suspected crossing area. As the patrol neared the spot where Lieutenant Berkebile had been ambushed two night before, he directed all boats to assume maximum readiness and personally took a position from which he could see and direct the fire of his units. Suddenly heavy fire broke out from both banks. Seeing that there was no room to maneuver in the narrow canal, he led his units through the ambush despite extremely heavy fire from rockets and machine guns. From his exposed position he called in air cover and directed devastating fire from the guns of his units until mortally wounded by an enemy rocket. Lieutenant Berkebile's heroic actions, sense of responsibility and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: 23-Nov-68

Service: Navy

Rank: Lieutenant

He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he told us so.
In honesty, in affection, he told us so.
He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.
With loyalty and bravery, he showed us so.
He was our defender, and he kept us free!
He took an oath to guard us, and fought for liberty!
He loved us so, and we should know.
For we loved him so.
Lieutenant Berkebile, you were the very essence of DUTY!...HONOR!...and COUNTRY! You had been there and done that off the coast of Vietnam aboard the USS OXFORD and in Vietnam also! You were one brave man who did brave deeds for our America! You sailed in harm's way and you fought for the right without question or pause! Your name and fame are the BIRTHRIGHT of EVERY American citizen! In your youth and strength...your love and loyalty...you had given all that mortality can give to defend liberty everywhere! Johnstown is very proud of you, Sir! You had sacrificed your life so that freedom and justice may live! You had lived up to the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land!...an ideal SO NOBLE that it arouses in all of us a sense of pride, and yet, of humility! I strongly and honestly believe that Avonmore's own Jill Corey, whom I admire so greatly and immensely as one of my three top favorite songbirds of all time, the other two being Walton-on-Thames's own Julie Andrews, England's musical queen, and London's own Dusty Springfield, another thrush from England, would be very proud of your service to America, and the sacrifices you made to keep us and our country free! Well done, Lieutenant! be thou at peace. SAIL NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! navy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear LT Jack Berkebile, 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

I'm the second oldest daughter- Jack had six children! Am very interested in hearing from anyone who might have some stories about my Dad to share. Please contact me by email and thank you!

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerviong 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.