Navy Federal Credit Union

David Render Berry was subsequently Killed in Action on May 13, 1945, while serving as Pilot and Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron 83, embarked from the U.S.S. Essex.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    March 10, 1942

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 318 (September 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Ensign David Render Berry (NSN: 0-83340), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Salamaua and Lae, New Guinea, on 10 March 1942. Ensign Berry pressed home, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on a light cruiser and scored a direct hit resulting in severe damage and probable destruction of the enemy vessel. By his superb airmanship and outstanding courage he contributed to the destruction of the three enemy ships and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    May 4, 7 & 8, 1942

    Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 2885 (July 7, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign David Render Berry (NSN: 0-83340), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in attacks on an enemy carrier in the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. These attacks, pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and on 8 May, opposed by enemy aircraft, resulted in sinking or damaging of a carrier and eight other vessels. His gallant conduct contributed to the success of our forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 83 (VB-83)

    Action Date:

    March 19, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander David Render Berry (NSN: 0-83340), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against units of the Japanese Fleet in the harbor of Kure on 19 March 1945. Commander Berry aggressively led his squadron through intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and pressed home an effectively coordinated attack with other carrier-based units in which extensive damage was done to combatant units of the Japanese Fleet. His inspiring leadership contributed materially to the success of the attack and his skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 83 (VB-83)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander David Render Berry (NSN: 0-83340), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in operations against units of the Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea on 7 April 1945. Despite adverse weather conditions and, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, he aggressively and inspiringly led his squadron in a dive bombing attack against a Japanese battleship protected by a cruiser and destroyers. As a result of this highly coordinated attack, his squadron scored eight direct hits on the enemy battleship and thus contributed materially to the later sinking of the ship. His aggressiveness and determined leadership during this operation was inspiring and his skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 83 (VB-83)

    Action Date:

    March 18 – April 22, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander David Render Berry (NSN: 0-83340), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto and Kyushu. As pilot of a carrier-based plane, during the period from 18 march 1945 to 22 April 1945, he led his squadron in twenty strikes against enemy shipping, airfields, installations, and defense positions, inflicting extensive damage and contributing greatly to the success of these missions. His determination and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Batallion:

    Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Yorktown (CV-5)

    Action Date:

    June 4 – 6, 1942

    Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 3144 (August 1, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Ensign David Render Berry (NSN: 0-83340), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the “Air Battle of Midway,” against enemy Japanese forces on 4 – 6 June 1942. Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition, Ensign Berry, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, participated in persistent and vigorous attacks against the Japanese invasion fleet. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to the accomplishment of a vastly important objective contributed in large measure to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.