World War II Honoree

Charles Lester 'C. L.' Berry

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED 4 1/2 YEARS WITH THE 33RD INFANTRY 'PRAIRIE' DIVISION INCLUDING OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR. STAGED WITH HIS UNIT AT CAMP STONEMAN AT PITTSBURG, CALIFORNIA ON JUNE 24, 1943 AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. SAILED FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO PORT OF EMBARKATION ON JULY 7, 1943 AND ARRIVED IN HAWAII ON JULY 12, 1943. REMAINED IN HAWAII UNTIL APRIL 30, 1944. PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW GUINEA AND LUZON CAMPAIGNS. MOVED WITH HIS UNIT TO FINSCHHAFEN, NEW GUINEA ON MAY 11, 1944, TO MOROTAI ISLAND ON DECEMBER 18, 1944 AND THEN TO LUZON IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON FEBRUARY 10, 1945. SERVED WITH OCCUPATION FORCES IN JAPAN BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 25, 1945. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH 'JAPAN' CLASP. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.