Navy Federal Credit Union

Jack Berry and Willie Slaughter were high school friends who played football together for Mexia High School in Texas. They served together in the same Company of the 36th Infantry (Texas National Guard), and earned the Distinguished Service Cross on the same day, in an action together that earned them the nickname “The Two-Man Army”. Jack Berry was killed in action 3 months after his DSC action, and just five days before the General Orders for his award was published.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    143d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    36th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 1943

    Headquarters, FIFTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 110 (December 20, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Jack Gordon Berry (ASN: 20807564), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Italy, in September 1943. When enemy guns were delaying the advance of his platoon, Sergeant Berry and a comrade volunteered to destroy them. After loading their shirts with grenades, the two soldiers advanced across bullet-sprayed terrain to a position from which they could attack the first gun. It was quickly knocked out and they moved onto a second and more dangerous position, from which they put the second nest out of action. During their actions that knocked out the two enemy machine guns, Sergeant Berry and his comrade killed 7 German soldiers, wounded 7, and took 13 enemy as prisoners. Sergeant Berry’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 36th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.