Navy Federal Credit Union

James Berge was commissioned as an Aviation Cadet from the Naval ROTC program at the University of Washington. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    Award Reported in Leatherneck Magazine

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel James H. Berge, Jr., United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in Southeast Asia.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General James Hallard Berge, Jr. (MCSN: 0-33436), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    February 13, 1952

    Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing: Serial: 7853 (June 22, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James Hallard Berge, Jr. (MCSN: 0-33436), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea on 13 February 1952. Captain Berge, as leader of an eight plane flight, took off on a pre-briefed close air support mission as directed by the Joint Operations Center. Contact was made with the airborne controller and the flight was directed to attack enemy troops and trucks in revetments surrounded by enemy automatic weapons positions in the vicinity of T’osan. Due to the close proximity of the friendly lines, Captain Berge made several reconnaissance runs to determine the position of friendly and enemy troops, and to determine the best possible direction from which to make the attack. Captain Berge then initiated a series of expertly executed bombing and strafing attacks. In the face of intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, and without regard for his own personal safety, he continued making low level strafing attacks until he was forced to return to base due to lack of ammunition and low fuel supply. By his inspiring and skillful leadership, in the final assessment accounted for fifteen trucks destroyed and five damaged. Captain Berge’s courageous leadership, efficient action and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    Award Reported in Leatherneck Magazine

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel James H. Berge, Jr., United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in Southeast Asia.