Record #: R2016-878   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 11/9/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 11/9/2016
Title: Recognition extended to Harold Berg for military service as U.S. Marine Sergeant and member of 1st Raider Battalion
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2016-878.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

 

WHEREAS, Harold Berg served his country with valor and great distinction in the United States Marine Corps' 1st Raider Battalion, commonly known as the "Marine Raiders;" and

WHEREAS, In the true spirit of patriotism, Harold Berg enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 25, 1942 at age seventeen because he "was so proud to fight for our country;" and

WHEREAS, With manpower and resources severely restricted in the Pacific in the first year of the war, the Marine Corps formed a special commando unit to conduct raiding operations; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Raiders conducted amphibious light infantry warfare while operating behind enemy lines; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Raiders were credited with helping U.S. Forces win key and decisive battles on the road to total victory in the South Pacific; and

WHEREAS, Harold Berg, a Sergeant, was a member of the 1st Raider Battalion under the command of Merritt "Red" Edson; and

WHEREAS, The four Marine Raider battalions and their attached Navy Corpsmen are distinguished in the annals of military history by earning seven Medals of Honor, 136 Navy Crosses, twenty-one Distinguished Service Crosses, 330 Silver Stars, eighteen Legions of Merit, six Navy and Marine Corps Medals, three Soldier Medals, 223 Bronze Stars, and thirty-seven Letters of Commendation; and

WHEREAS, As a member of this elite band of brothers, Sergeant Harold Berg participated in combat operations on Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Saipan, Bouganville, Guam and Okinawa; and

 

WHEREAS, Harold Berg was wounded by enemy grenades on Guam and Okinawa; and

WHEREAS, Harold Berg was personally awarded two Purple Hearts, two Presidential Citations and a Naval Citation; and

 

WHEREAS, Harold Berg is one of only three living Marine Raiders; and

 

WHEREAS, Harold Berg served as president and director of the U.S. Marine Raider Association; and

WHEREAS, Harold Berg is truly an example of what journalist Tom Brokaw called "Our Greatest Generation;" and

 

WHEREAS, Harold Berg is exceedingly worthy of our highest admiration and esteem; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this ninth day of November, 2016 do hereby express our sincere appreciation to Harold Berg for his military service; and

 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Harold Berg.