WWII Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation
Jack M Berger
Born: 05 January 1921,
Arcadia, California
Enlistment Date: 19 January, 1942
Deployments: Europe - Rome-Arno, Southern France; Rhineland;
Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe
Unit: C Company, 509th Parachute Infantry
Rank: Sergeant
Decorations: WWII Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Purple
Heart, Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation 2nd Award, European
Africa Middle Eastern Campaign Medal 5th Award, Good Conduct Medal, WWII
Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal.
Decorations Post WWII: Legion of Merit, Air Force Outstanding Unit
Citation, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force NCO Professional Military
Education Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Discharge Date: 07 November 1945
Other Information: Jack Berger entered the Army at Fort Des Moines,
Iowa. He volunteered for the paratroops and completed Parachute School
at Fort Benning, Ga on August 21, 1943. Jack Berger departed for ETO on
May 17, 1944. On May 30, 1944 he arrived in Italy and was temporarily
assigned to a Replacement Depot where he went through theater specific
training. Jack was then assigned to 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, C Company,
509th Parachute Infantry Battalion as an Anti-Tank gunner where he
carried the M1A1 Bazooka. He participated in the invasion of Southern
France, Operation Anvil-Dragoon. In September 1944 he met a French girl
named Huguette in Belvedere, France. On December 6, 1944 at 2300, Pvt.
Jack Berger went AWOL and got married to Huguette on December 7, 1944 at
the Cimiez Church in Nice, France and then reported back for duty on
December 8, 1944 at 1530.
A few days later the 509th PIB moved out by rail and
trucks to Villers-Cotterets, France northeast of Paris
after being attached to the 101st Airborne Division (22
Nov 44-18 Dec 44). On 22 December 1944 at 0645 hours the
509th PIB moved out (p310 Stand in the Door) it was
attached to the 3rd Armored Division under the XVIII
Airborne Corps. On 23 December 1944 the 509th PIB
arrived in Manhay and control was reverted to the VII
Corps. C Company was loaded on trucks and moved out on
the truckline running north from Bastogne to Liege also
known as Route 15. There they faced the 2nd SS Panzer at
a strategic crossroads known as Baraque de Fraiture. It
became known as Parker Crossroads (p311 Stand in the
Door). The 509th PIB held out from 22 to 30 December at
Sadzot, Belgium, against two SS Panzer Grenadier
Battalions, and earned the battalion its second
Presidential Unit Citation. Jack Berger received his
Purple Heart on February 15, 1945 for injuries received
on January 5, 1945. (C Company Daily Journal). Jack's
injuries were bilateral frostbite to the feet (C Company
Daily Journal) and shrapnel in right leg (Discharge
Papers). On 28 February 1945 Jack was transferred to the
508th PIR / 82nd Airborne. Jack was working in Germany
for the Intelligence Service.
Jack was discharged from the Army while in Germany and
was on his way home to America. Jack tried to take
Huguette back with him but while in Paris the Red Cross
told her that she would have to travel back with all of
the other war brides. Jack took her back to Nice and she
waited for her papers to arrive. In May 1946 she
returned to Paris with her papers and was assigned to
Camp Phillip Morris in Le Harve. The camp was awful and
the ship ‘Zebulon Vance’ (Ship of Death) to New York was
even worse. 13 babies and 360 women died while enroute.
After working several jobs Jack Berger re-enlisted in
the Air Force in 1948. He and his wife Huguette spent
many years overseas serving in Rabat, Morocco 1951-1953,
returned to Morocco 1955-1959, stationed at Chatearoux,
France in 1962-1967. Jack Berger retired as a Senior
Master Sergeant in 1967.
In 1984 Jack and Huguette went to France to participate
in the 40th Anniversary events in Europe. Jack had been
active in supporting the museum in Ste Mere Eglise and
his name is permanently listed on a bronze plaque in the
museum. Jack also became a member of the Riviera Post #5
American Legion during his trip.
In 1996 Jack Berger entered a Veterans Home after
suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.
In 2004 Jack Berger passed away. He is survived by his
wife and children.
Thanks to Matthew W. Anderson who supplied, researched
and wrote this biography.
