Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-06
MAJOR B.S.B BERRY
WINS WAR CROSS
Collectors Son One of al
Heroes Decorated by
Pershing
WOUNDED, BUT LED MEN
Dashed Ahead Through Rain
of Bullets Till He Fell
Exhausted

Major Benjamin S Berry, U. S. M. c.,
son Of Collector Of the Port William
II. Berry. has been cited for bravery and
recommended for the Distinguished Ser
vice Cross by General Pershing
Major Berry was among forty-one
cited and recommended for war crosses
by the American comma nder.
The heroism for which Major Berry
was honored was disployed June 8.
this year, at Bois de Belleau, while he
was leading United States marines in
their charge northwest of Chateau
Thierry. He was wounded during the
battle, and was reported dead several
time within the next few weeks.
Led Charge, Though Wounded
After being wounded. Major Berry
arose and made final dash of thirty
yards through rain of bullets. ana
succeeded in reaching the first wave ot
his men, General Pershings communioue
says, before yielding to exhaustion from
his injury.
Major Berry Is graduate of the Penn.
sylvania Military Academy at Chester
and was appointed first lieutenant nj
marines at Annapolis. He served in the
Philippines and Porto Rico. and was in
charge of the first marines to arrive in
France. He became a major soon after
reaching the battlefield.
General Pershing's citation of Major
Berry follows:
HE led his men in a gallant attack
across open ground and into the Bots
de Belleau, France, northwest OF Chateau
Thierry, on the afternoon Of June 6, in
spring them to deeds Of valor by his
example. When he reached the edge OF
the woods he fell. severely wounded
Nevertheless, he arose and made final
dash of thivty yards across through a
storm Of bullets and reached again the
first wave of his command before yield
ing to exhaustion from his injury"
Others Cited by Pershing
Others cited by the American COM
dander are
Second Lieutenant Fred A. Tillman,
U. S. NJ. c.:
"He aroused the admiration of all
the French first-line infantrymen when
making an infantry liaison west OF
Rheims, June IS. He flew over the
enemy lines at an altitude of only 150
yards, in spite of violent machine-gun
and anti-aircraft fire. Shot down be.
tween the lines. with his plane riddled
with bullets and his pilot severely
wounded, he picked up his pilot in his
arms and carried him through heavy
fire more than 200 yards to the French
first lines after he was himself wounded
in the neck"
sccoud Lieutenant John X. williams
infantry:
"On July 2S. near Villers-Sur-Fere
France. when all the other officers of his
company had been killed or wounded, he
promptly took command. led his men
through artillery and machine-gun fire
rushed a machine gun which was block
ing his advance, personally killed four
members of its crew, gained his obJec-
tive and held It,"
Second Lieutenant Hugh +. Edwards
infantry:
Near Vaux on July l he led his
platoon against heavy machine-gun fire
silenced several machines. establishes
his guns at his objective. repelled q
counter-attack on his left flank ant
personally killed two Of the enemy"
supply Sergeant Jan Jankowski, in
fantry:
Near Vaux July I he entered &
| dugout. killing two and capturing three
| of the enemy single handed"
| Private tfrst CLASSY Walter A. Sha.
manski. infantry:
"Vaux. July /, having entered a cellal
to install his telephone. he was attacked
| by eleven OF the enemy, of whom Il,
killed two and took nine prisoners sin
| landed"