World War II Honoree

James W. 'Bill' Berry

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS A B-24 'LIBERATOR' BOMBER PILOT IN THE AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 844TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, 489TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 8TH AIR FORCE. PARTICIPATED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER, AIR OFFENSIVE-EUROPE, NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, AND RHINELAND, CAMPAIGNS. HIS SQUADRON WAS BASED AT HALESWORTH, ENGLAND AND ENGAGED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS FROM MAY 30, 1944 TO NOVEMBER 10, 1944. WOUNDED IN ACTION IN SEPTEMBER, 1944 BY GROUND FIRE DURING OPERATION MARKET-GARDEN, THE LARGEST ALLIED AIRBORNE OPERATION TO CAPTURE BRIDGES OVER WATERWAYS IN HOLLAND. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.