World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
James R. Berry
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Flora, Illinois
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
ENLISTED IN THE AIR CORPS AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 17, 1941 AT PEORIA, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AIRPLANE MECHANIC (750). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1942 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED IN THE AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE, NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 1 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE SERVICE AND SQUADRON A9, 3505TH ARMY AIR FORCES BASE UNIT, AS A MASTER SERGEANT ON SEPTEMBER 28, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS.