United States. A Bronze Star & Purple Heart Group To Cpl. Jack Berger, Kia In Leyte, Philippines, 1944

United States. Bronze Star, bronze, 37mm (w) x 39mm (h-inclusive of integral suspension), on original ribbon with brooch pinback, unmarked, wear on obverse, very fine condition, accompanied by original hardshell case of issue, 87mm (w) x 164mm (l) x 26mm (d), exterior lid stamped BRONZE STAR / MEDAL, lid is slightly stained, worn along edge bottom left corner, interior lid and medal bed intact, very fine condition; Purple Heart, two-piece construction of bronze gilt with purple, red, white and green enamels, engraved “CORP. JACK BERGER. USMC.” on reverse, 34mm (w) x 47mm (h- inclusive of horizontally pierced integral suspension ball), on original ribbon with brooch pinback, extremely fine condition, accompanied by original hardshell case of issue, 64mm (w) x 121mm (l) x 33mm (h), extremely fine condition, contained in original cardboard box with “Corp Jack Berger, USMC” handwritten on lid; Two Identification Tags, metal, impressed “BERGER, / JACK / 358281 / TYPE / T- / USMCR.” on obverse, hole punched along left side, 39mm (w) x 30mm (h), reverse unmarked, both stained, one in slightly darker patina, both very fine; Condolence Letter, cardstock paper, ink stamped “Jack Berger / United States Marine Corps” and “Leyte, Philippine Islands, 31 October 1944, 305mm (w) x 313mm (h), seal embossed near top of page, slightly stained along bottom, very fine condition.

Accompanied by original correspondence and telegrams to Berger’s wife (including envelopes), and numerous photocopies from the National Archives regarding Berger’s service.

Footnote: Jack Berger was born in Chilo, Ohio on August 15, 1918. He attended high school in Felicity, Ohio, focusing on maths, chemistry, and woodshop, and graduated in 1932. He was employed by Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. as a power lineman for five years. He was responsible for erecting poles, lines, and cables, as well as splicing transformer connections and running leads to buildings. Berger enlisted for the United States Marine Corps on February 23, 1942 in Cincinnati. He was satisfactory in all training courses, and was quickly promoted to Private First Class on October 5, 1942. He was stationed in Quantico, VA as of October 31, 1942. He was transferred to Camp Elliott in November 1942. During this time he was AWOL for 14 days before surrendering to the camp. For this, he was charged a total of $30.

In September 1944, he boarded the U.S.S Monitor at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, arriving in Leyte, Philippines on October 20. He participated in a campaign against enemy Japanese forces and was ultimately killed in action on October 31, 1944. The official documents state that he was “installing telephone communication lines at a combat area, a bomb dropped from enemy aircraft exploded nearby causing shrapnel wounds of the head, neck and thorax, resulting in immediate death.”

His Bronze Star citation reads: “For heroic service as a Wire Team Chief of the Corps Artillery, (Reinforced, Fifth Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, which was attached to the XXIV Corps, U.S Army, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Leyte, Philippines Islands, from 20 to 31 October 1944. Responsible for the continuous maintenance of circuits between the Corps Artillery Fire Direction Center and two widely separated Corps Artillery battalions, Corporal Berger skillfully directed his team in the laying and maintenance of field wire, generally by hand, over swamps and jungle while in constant danger from Japanese snipers, infiltration attacks and aerial bombing and strafing, carrying on courageously in spite of all hazards until killed by enemy fire. His outstanding performance of a dangerous and arduous duty vital to the effective functioning of the Corps Artillery was an inspiration to his men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

His wife, Jennie, was informed of his death on November 15. She was awarded his purple heart and bronze star and remained next of kin until she remarried in 1948. Berger’s mother Viola was then in charge of his affairs. His remains were shipped to the United States in 1948, and he was buried in Chilo Cemetery, Ohio.