World War II Honoree

John Benton Berry

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Willow, Oklahoma

Honored By

Margie A. Roberts

Relationship

Sister-in-law

HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY IN 1943 AND SERVED IN THE 44TH INFANTRY DIVISION WITH THE 7TH U.S. ARMY IN EUROPE. DURING THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN DECEMBER 1944, HIS UNIT WAS OVERRUN AND HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION. MOST OF HIS PLATOON WAS CAPTURED OR KILLED BUT HE, ALTHOUGH WOUNDED AND FROSTBITTEN, AND NEARLY STARVED, SURVIVED BY HIDING WHILE SURROUNDED BY THE ENEMY DURING THE BITTER COLD. HE PERSEVERED UNTIL COUNTER-ATTACKING AMERICAN FORCES RESCUED HIM. HIS WOUNDS TURNED CANCEROUS SO HE WAS FLOWN TO THE MILITARY HOSPITAL AT HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS FOR SURGERY AND TREATMENT. HIS TREATMENT WAS SUCCESSFUL AND HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE AT HOT SPRINGS IN THE FALL 1945.