Master Gunnery Sergeant John Vernon Berg’s home of record was Kinston, North Carolina having been born there on August 8, 1920. At the time of his death, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division as an Infantry Unit Leader. He was killed in Artillery, rocket and mortar fire on October 30, 1968 in the vicinity of Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. He was 48 years of age. On the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC, his name can be found on panel 40W, line 56.
His awards include the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with V for valor device, the Purple Heart Medal, the Marine Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
SILVER STAR MEDAL CITATION
UNITED STATES MARINE COPRS HEADQUARTERS FLEET MAINTENANCE FORCE, PACIFIC
IN THE NAME OF TEH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE COMMANDING GENERAL FLEET MARINE FORCE PACIFIC TAKES PLEASURE IN AWARDING THE SILVER STAR MEDAL TO
Platoon Sergeant John V Berg, United States Marine Corps.
FOR SERVICE AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING CITIATION:
“FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY IN ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY ON “IWO JIMA” VOLCANO ISLANDS, WHILE SERVING AS A SERGEANT IN A MARINE RIFLE COMPANY ON 15 MARCH 1945. WHEN HIS COMPANY WAS ATTACKING WITH TANKS IN SUPPPORT, AN ARMORED TRACTOR WAS PRECEDING THEM, CONSTRUCTING A ROAD TO ENABLE THE PASSAGE OF THE TANKS. ALTHOUGH FULLLY AWARE OF HIS OWN PERIL, AND WHILE CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO ACCURATED ENEMY SMALL ARMS FIRE, PLATOON SERGEANT BERG RAN FORWARD AND LED THE ARMORED TRACTOR OVER TREACHEROUS TERRAIN TWO HUNDRED YARDS TO THE FRONT. HAVING COMPLETED THIS TASK, HE RETURNED, LED TWO TANKS OVER THE NEW ROAD, AND DIRECTED ACCURATED TANK FIRE ON TARGETS TO THE COMPANY FRONT. HIS HEROIC DEED AND UNTIRING EFFORTS IN THIS, HIS SECOND PARTICIPATION IN ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY, CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE SUCCESSFUL ADVANCE OF HIS COMPANY. HIS ACTIONS WERE AT ALL TIME IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHTEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.”
ROY S GEIGER
LIEUTENANT GENERAL
S. MARINE CORPS
