World War II Honoree

Lester M. Berry

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Russell, Kansas

Honored By

Mrs. Neva E. Berry

Relationship

Wife

STAFF SERGEANT. JOINED THE ARMY AS AN INDUCTEE AND SERVED FROM JUNE 28, 1941 THROUGH OCTOBER 17, 1945. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 33RD ARMORED REGIMENT, 3RD ARMORED DIVISION WITH WHICH HE SERVED THROUGHOUT THE WAR. THE TANKS OF THE 3RD ARMORED WENT INTO FRANCE SHORTLY AFTER D-DAY, THEN LED THE FIRST ARMY'S BREAKOUT FROM THE HEDGEROWS OF NORMANDY. SPEARHEADING ACROSS FRANCE AND BELGIUM, THE DIVISION WAS FIRST ACROSS THE SIEGFRIED LINE. AFTER HELPING PINCH OFF THE BULGE DURING THE ARDENNES WINTER CAMPAIGN, THE DIVISION WAS FIRST TO REACH THE RHINE. PENETRATING DEEP INTO GERMANY, THE DIVISION CLOSED THE RUHR POCKET, THEN LIBERATED THE NORDHAUSEN DEATH CAMP. HE TOOK PART IN ALL FIVE OF THE 3RD ARMORED SPEARHEAD DIVISION CAMPAIGNS: NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES AND CENTRAL EUROPE.