World War II Honoree

William G. Berberich

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Ossining, New York

Honored By

Marcia Dunphy

Relationship

cousin

CITATION For meritorious conduct and devotion to duty before and during action against enemy Japanese forces in Tarawa, Gilbert Islands November 20-28, 1943. Working tirelessly and continuously in maintaining the records of the personnel embarked aboard ship and participating in action private first class Berberich contributed greatly toward the correctness of casualty list in the Second Marine Division. From November 22-24 he worked day and night contacting various units and ships gathering data which aid greatly and locating personnel and establishing the status of many men who would have been listed as missing. In addition to a high standard of performance of regular duties, you volunteered many times to carry ammunition supplies and to bury the dead. On reembarking aboard ship he assume additional duties as a division clerk, and continued in such capacity until the division personnel arrived. For a period of two months, he worked steadily and consciously and often times continuously from one day to the next. By his unselfishness, extreme devotion to duty and efficiency and a position of high trust, he made a valuable contribution to the government of United States. His conduct was in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service. (SIGNED) JULIAN C. SMITH JULIAN C. SMITH Major General, U. S. Marine Corps, Commanding HE WAS A PFC IN HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE COMPANY; 8TH MARINES; 2ND MARINE DIVISION; FLEET MARINE FORCE AND WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON JUNE 15, 1944 IN THE MARIANAS ISLANDS.