Benjamin Melvin Berry

Benjamin Melvin Berry (born September 21, 1923) is an American World War II veteran known for his service in the 863rd Quartermaster Fumigation & Bath Company of the U.S. Army. He served in the European Theater during World War II and took part in the Normandy landings and the Battle of the Bulge. Berry has been recognized with awards including the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (2021) and France's Legion of Honor (2024).

Early life

Berry was born in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1923 ([Layout 1-10](.creativecirclecdn.com/chestnuthilllocal/files/20240409-180042-CHL.041124.pdf#:~:text=Benjamin%20Melvin%20Berry%2C%20one%20of,dents%20in%20his%20graduating%20class)). He grew up in a family of four children and attended Abington High School, graduating in 1943 as one of the few Black students in his class ([Layout 1-10](.creativecirclecdn.com/chestnuthilllocal/files/20240409-180042-CHL.041124.pdf#:~:text=Benjamin%20Melvin%20Berry%2C%20one%20of,dents%20in%20his%20graduating%20class)).

Military service

Berry was drafted into the U.S. Army on July 27, 1943 ([CPL Benjamin Berry | 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee](https://quartermaster.army.mil/oqmg/regimental_office/2022-hof/inductees/berry.html#:~:text=Corporal%20Benjamin%20Berry%20was%20drafted,days%2C%20Corporal%20Berry%20and%20the)). After basic training at Fort Wayne, Indiana, he reported to Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was assigned to the 863rd Quartermaster Fumigation & Bath Company ([CPL Benjamin Berry | 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee](https://quartermaster.army.mil/oqmg/regimental_office/2022-hof/inductees/berry.html#:~:text=Corporal%20Benjamin%20Berry%20was%20drafted,days%2C%20Corporal%20Berry%20and%20the)). His unit arrived in England and subsequently landed on Normandy beach on July 28, 1944, twenty-two days after D‑Day, supporting front‑line troops by providing decontamination and bathing services ([CPL Benjamin Berry | 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee](https://quartermaster.army.mil/oqmg/regimental_office/2022-hof/inductees/berry.html#:~:text=Corporal%20Benjamin%20Berry%20was%20drafted,of%20the%20Bulge%20during%20the)). Berry served in segregated units under George S. Patton's Third Army and followed the infantry through France, Belgium and Luxembourg ([Layout 1-10](.creativecirclecdn.com/chestnuthilllocal/files/20240409-180042-CHL.041124.pdf#:~:text=Benjamin%20Melvin%20Berry%2C%20one%20of,dents%20in%20his%20graduating%20class)). During the harsh winter of 1944–1945 he was encamped in the Ardennes forest during the Battle of the Bulge ([CPL Benjamin Berry | 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee](https://quartermaster.army.mil/oqmg/regimental_office/2022-hof/inductees/berry.html#:~:text=landed%20on%20Normandy%20Beach%2C%20France,of%20the%20Bulge%20during%20the)). After the European war ended, his unit was reassigned to Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, and later ordered toward Japan before the Japanese surrender ended the war ([CPL Benjamin Berry | 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee](https://quartermaster.army.mil/oqmg/regimental_office/2022-hof/inductees/berry.html#:~:text=coldest%20winter%20on%20record,he%20was%20discharged%2C%20Corporal%20Berry)).

Post‑war life

Following the war, Berry returned to Philadelphia. He attended Bok Vocational School on the GI Bill to learn paperhanging and built a successful business despite restrictions that prevented Black workers from joining the paperhangers' union ([Layout 1-10](.creativecirclecdn.com/chestnuthilllocal/files/20240409-180042-CHL.041124.pdf#:~:text=After%20the%20war%2C%20Berry%20returned,did%20charity%20paperhanging%2C%20such%20as)). Berry raised four children with his wife Lois Miller Graves and has remained active in veterans organizations, giving talks about his experiences.

Honors

In June 2021 Berry was awarded the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for his World War II service ([CPL Benjamin Berry | 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee](https://quartermaster.army.mil/oqmg/regimental_office/2022-hof/inductees/berry.html#:~:text=married%20Lois%20Miller%20Graves%20and,his%20service%20during%20World%20War)). He was inducted into the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps Hall of Fame in 2022 ([CPL Benjamin Berry | 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee](https://quartermaster.army.mil/oqmg/regimental_office/2022-hof/inductees/berry.html#:~:text=2022%20Quartermaster%20Corps%20Hall%20of,Fame%20Inductee)). On March 18, 2024, he received France's Legion of Honor at a ceremony at the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in the Philadelphia Navy Yard ([Layout 1-10](.creativecirclecdn.com/chestnuthilllocal/files/20240409-180042-CHL.041124.pdf)).

References

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