The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in addition to a previously awarded Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander (MC) Ferdinand Victor Berley (NSN: 0-73084), United States Navy, for meritorious service as Senior American Medical Officer and Second in Command of the Prisoner of War Hospital Unit, Kobe, Japan, from 5 June to 17 August 1945. With the entire hospital a blazing inferno during a devastating raid by American Bombers on the Japanese city of Kobe, Commander Berley repeatedly entered the burning buildings, extricating the injured, assisting or carrying to safety the sick, and attempting to salvage medical equipment. For the next few hours he worked untiringly, administering first aid to the American and Allied casualties as well as to the wounded Japanese civilians. Placed in charge after evacuation of many of the patients and staff to a distant camp, he labored unceasingly to restore comfortable quarters for the rest of the patients, most of whom were stretcher cases. Later that night, when ordered by Japanese authority to vacate Kobe Hospital immediately, despite a raging storm and darkness and destruction outside, he and the five other staff members undertook this long and perilous journey, rendering all possible aid to the helpless patients. Arriving at the new camp with many of the patients in critical condition, no medicines or bandages, and very little food, he effectively handled the acute sanitation problems and, by his constant and determined efforts in the face of these extreme odds, succeeded in alleviating the discomforts of the patients and in improving the difficult conditions under which the hospital unit was forced to live. Commander Berley’s professional integrity, inspiring leadership and self-sacrificing service throughout this period of stress reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Commander Berley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant (MC)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
4th Marine RegimentAction Date:
April 24, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal (Army Award) to Lieutenant (MC) Ferdinand Victor Berley (NSN: 0-73084), United States Navy, for heroic service as Medical Officer with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment on Corregidor on 24 April 1942. To render medical aid to a seriously wounded man, he voluntarily proceeded by truck, over a road swept by enemy fire and showered by exploding ammunition, to Battery Hamilton which itself was gravely endangered by the threatened explosion of Battery Crockett. After preparing the wounded man for movement, he placed him on the truck and returned by the same hazardous route. Lieutenant Berley’s personal courage in assisting a wounded comrade reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Services.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant (MC)Division:
Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands & Japan)Action Date:
May 6, 1942 – August 1945
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947Lieutenant (MC) Ferdinand Victor Berley (NSN: 0-73084), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in August 1945.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant (MC), [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Action Date:
December 10, 1941
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Lieutenant (MC), [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Ferdinand Victor Berley (NSN: 0-73084), United States Navy, for heroic service while attached to the Staff of the Medical Dispensary at Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines, during and subsequent to the bombing attack by enemy Japanese forces on 10 December 1941. Undaunted by the continuous bursting of enemy bombs which rained death and destruction and rendered the Navy Yard a blazing inferno, Lieutenant Berley administered first aid with prompt and unfailing efficiency despite the danger and confusion. Working rapidly and with resourceful initiative, he assisted other medical officers present in caring for more than one hundred wounded and injured before arrangements were made to transfer casualties by boat and by truck to the Canacao Hospital where he continued his valiant efforts during the subsequent evacuation of all patients to the Sternberg General Hospital in Manila. Concerned only for the safety of our sick and wounded, Lieutenant Berley rendered gallant service until ultimately taken prisoner by the Japanese. His steadfast courage, resolute fortitude and self-sacrificing devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Berley and upon the United States Naval Service.