When infiltrating Japanese soldiers launched a surprise attack shortly after midnight in an attempt to overrun his position, he engaged in a pitched hand grenade duel, returning the dangerous weapons with prompt and deadly accuracy until an enemy grenade landed in the foxhole. Berry manned his weapon with alert readiness as he maintained a constant vigil with other members of his guncrew during the hazardous night hours. Medal of Honor Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as member of a machinegun crew, serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 3 March 1945. Unit: 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded to Marines and Sailors for their courageous conduct during the Battle of Iwo Jima – many posthumously. flag atop Mount Suribachi during the battle. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, which depicts six Marines raising the U.S.

to a critical victory – are immortalized in the U.S. The heroics of these American patriots – giving everything for their country as they helped lead the U.S. An additional 209 deaths occurred among the Navy corpsmen and surgeons assigned to the Marines. Marine Corps Museum, over the course of the 36-day battle, 5,931 Marines were killed in action, died of wounds or were missing in action and presumed dead – more than twice as many Marines than had been killed in all of World War I. The year 2021 marks the 76 th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima (February 19 – March 26, 1945), one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles of World War II. According to the U.S. “Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” - Chester W. Photo credit Joe Rosenthal 27 Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor for courageous conduct during the Battle of Iwo Jima

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