The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Gerald Leroy Berry, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-161), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 30 December 1969, First Lieutenant Berry launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the mission of inserting an eight-man Marine reconnaissance team into a mountainous area southeast of An Hoa to assess the damage resulting from a high-altitude bombing mission that had been conducted earlier that day. After directing his wingman to maintain an orbit near An Hoa to ensure radio relay and rescue capabilities, he proceeded to the insertion site. Arriving over the designated area, he quickly located a landing zone on the side of a hill which had been marked by supporting Cobra gunships and, despite marginal weather, maneuvered to a hover alongside the hill and remained in his position until all of the patrol members jumped from his ramp to the ground. Immediately after lifting from the site, both his aircraft and the Marines on the ground came under an extremely heavy volume of hostile automatic weapons fire from several enemy firing positions around the insertion area. Upon receiving an urgent request to extract the patrol, First Lieutenant Berry completely disregarded his own safety and commenced an approach to the beleaguered Marines, but was forced to abort the approach when several rounds penetrated his aircraft. Undaunted, he coordinated his second approach with the firing and simulated firing runs of the gunships, skillfully maneuvered to a hover near the Marines and fearlessly remained in his precarious position until all members of the reconnaissance team were pulled aboard the helicopter through the side cabin door by his crewmen. He then lifted out of the dangerous area and returned to An Hoa. First Lieutenant Berry’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Gerald Leroy Berry, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 29 and 30 April 1975 as Helicopter Aircraft Commander of a CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), embarked in U.S.S. DUBUQUE (LPD-8), during Operation FREQUENT WIND, the evacuation of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. Launched as an aircraft commander and section leader of a two aircraft flight, Captain Berry traveled over hostile and unfamiliar terrain to extract evacuees from designated landing zones a the U.S. Embassy, Saigon. Under severe weather conditions and darkness, he safely and successfully made numerous flights while being subjected to enemy anti-aircraft fire, small arms fire, surface-to-air missiles, and sniper fire en route and while approaching and departing designated landing zones. Although subjected to these conditions until the operation was complete, Captain Berry continued the Saigon evacuation flights to U.S. naval vessels with exceptional professionalism and determination. In addition, he transported the American Ambassador from the Embassy’s rooftop landing zone to U.S.S. BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19). By his superb leadership, exemplary airmanship, and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Berry contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of Operation FREQUENT WIND; thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. (Captain Berry is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)