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Dave Berry | all galleries >> Galleries >> Vietnam War '67 - '68 > Epilogue
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Epilogue

When I separated from the Army in 1968 I changed clothes at a gas station across the street from the gate at Ft. Ord and left my uniform hanging in the restroom. At that point in my life I swore two things: (1) I would never be responsible for any human's life again, and (2) I would never wear a military uniform again. However, times and people change. When I got married in 1972 I went back to college and decided at the last minute to change my major from Computer Science to Nursing. In 1974, I decided to apply for an Army scholarship program. Thanks in large part to letters of recommendation from Doc Crum (former Battalion Surgeon) and COL Louis Menetrey, who was by then a brigade commander at Ft. Bragg, I was accepted. I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant when I graduated in Dec '75. The rest, as they say, is history. This photo of me with my wife, Kathy, was taken at a formal military gathering in June, 1994. I was fortunate enough to retire from Active Duty as an Army Nurse Corps Lieutenant Colonel on 1 May,1995, with 22+ years of combined enlisted and commissioned service.

During those 22 years I was privileged to serve with many brave, talented and dedicated soldiers. The soldiers in this photo gallery are especially meaningful to me. It was truly a privilege to be able to help to care for soldiers and their families. I was prepared for leadership, not by training manuals and leadership courses, but by the officers and NCOs who led me when I was a 20 year-old grunt. The only problem was that the really good ones, like Tom Grady, Clark Welch, Carl Kizer, Jim George, Jim Deegan, Sonny Gratzer and LTC Louis Menetrey, made it look easy - and it's not. I also learned a lot from the bad leaders, who were in the minority and shall remain nameless.

I had many opportunities and challenges (what we called "opportunities to excel") during my career. I'm very proud of what we as a team accomplished in facilities ranging from teaching medical centers to our single OR in the Burn Unit at Ft. Sam Houston. In the '70s and '80s, Brooke Army Medical Center and Madigan Army Medical Center were pre-WWII relics. One morning I reported for my shift in the OR at BAMC's Beach Pavilion, which was a converted pre-WWII cavalry barracks, to find a bat hanging from the doorway to Recovery Room. In 1990 I moved my entire surgical department, including Surgery, Recovery Room and Sterile Processing, at Ft. Meade's Kimbrough Army Community Hospital into DEPMEDS (DEPloyable MEDical Systems) modular units behind the hospital, while our department inside the hospital was renovated. For 6 months we "camped out" in the backyard and provided care in the DEPMEDS surgical annex (dubbed "Ft. Berry" by my staff). We did a little over 1,000 surgeries during that time, including many emergencies. Our results and infection rates were excellent. Layout and resources were primitive by modern standards, but the staff were outstanding and the care given to our patients was the best that we could provide.

I could not have accomplished what I did during my military career without the love, support and encouragement of Kathy (Army Wife is the toughest job in the Army) and our children.


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Tom Beech09-Apr-2023 21:20
After reading your post today I had to look back through your photos again...I'm at a loss for words now.
Ted Riendeau 28-Aug-2021 17:46
Do you remember Dr Dave Lagasse volunteered for a mission to rescue AF pilot who crashed east of Lai Khe? Late summer 67. I was the Dust Off pilot who did the recovery.
Guest 28-Aug-2021 17:44
Welcome home Dave! I was a Dust Off pilot, out of Long Bien, Mar 67 to Mar 68. Many stand-by tours at Lai Khe. You mentioned Dave Lagasse was your CO at one time. I flew a recovery mission, late summer of 67 to pick up downed AF F4 crew, east of Kai Khe. Dr Lagasse volunteered to be lowered down the hoist to aid in recovery. Unfortunately the pilot died during crash. Does this sound familiar. Ted Riendeau, Dust Off 34
Sue Anne Rush06-Apr-2021 03:29
Excellent. V
Tommy Ginas 24-May-2020 19:45
I came across this site looking for information. Thank you for your service and to all the brave men who served and died with you in Vietnam. I was there in the years you were. Reading many of the bios of the lost made me realize again of the huge sacrifice they made. It was sad for me . People forget ,but reading about them brought them into the light and I know their families and friends have fond memories about them today. God Bless you all.
Wayne Wade 10-Mar-2020 18:58
Incredible website and incredible life Dave.
Buz Kiefer22-Jul-2018 08:42
Thank you, Dave. Thank all of you.
Bernie Weisz 06-Jul-2018 03:05
Just about the best photo recollection I have EVER come across in over 20 years of documenting and reviewing Vietnam War reflections. Awesome Job Dave !!
Dan Lynch 26-Aug-2017 16:33
Mr Berry, thank you for everything you have done for your brothers in arms and our country. This is an incredible tribute and and extremely unique and valuable collection of photographs, I have read and seen a fair amount on the conflict, but this really stands out. It is so very important to preserve this history so future generations can learn and understand a little bit about what you all experienced, thank you for thetime to document, share and provide such clear context in the captions.
Tudorbug 22-Aug-2016 20:30
Greetings, and I noticed in particular the photo of the late Lieutenant Hugh Durham, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I occasionally sound Taps at the funerals of deceased Veterans and, when at such a funeral a couple of years ago, noticed neaby the grave of Lieutenant Durham. He was buried in the city cemetery of Tifton, Georgia about an hour from my residence. Should you need a photo of his gravesite, I can take photos the next time I go that way. I admit that I don't know when that may be. Good work on this web site, by the way.
Bob Berry 25-Dec-2015 17:13
I liked your web page. I served with the 44th Med Brigade my second tour ending in May 1968. My first tour was with 2nd Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry.....BobBerry
Dave Berry08-Oct-2015 21:39
Thank you, Mark. It has been a long time since I was a SP/5 and you were a SSG with Recon. We were both able to accomplish some things. Your military career and accomplishments are legendary. Thank you for the kind words. - Dave Berry
Mark Smith 02-Oct-2015 17:08
What a great thing to see how far you traveled on the road of life and then gave some credit to those great mentoring men we all knew and respected.I honor you also for your great service. Mark Smith and
Charles Rafferty 11-Aug-2015 22:04
Dave general ware your self and my fathers brother made it to the top from the bottom proves to me I could never walk in your paths
Greg Gross 19-Jun-2015 01:30
So common I'm sure........1st division troopers were successful and achievers. God bless
you and your family. Thanks for serving and god bless all of our heroes from Lai Khe. You
saddled up......remember that favorite 1st division phrase....."saddle up". Some famous
1st division nco started that all up.......it made us feel like a team.
Guest 28-May-2015 20:45
Thank you for sharing. It brought back memories, especially being with Lt Devine, Lt. Stroup and Cody. I was with Delta and Bravo in 67-68. Again, Thanks
Carter Creek23-Oct-2014 02:15
Dave, what a great collection of memories and your photos have recorded history. Thank you for your service. After going through your photos I feel like such a fraud when somebody thanks me for my service. A young man did that to me today and it just plain makes me uncomfortable. Yes I put time in the Army but I got out in 1962. I didn't make very good use of my time in the Army, but I do know that my 3 years most likely made me a better man.
I hope that we can meet at a race track next summer.
God Speed.
Mark Cox 16-Mar-2014 00:26
Wow! An officer! How you gunna act? Thanks for your serving. Mark Cox, 1st/501st inf, 101st ABN, Camp Eagle and Camp Carroll. 2 tours back to back, had to get that GTO from the re-up bonus (VRB-TAX FREE) I left my uniform in a locker at the airport at Seattle , out processed at ft. Lewis. Got my Yellow GTO and wrecked it drunk and no insurance in 22 days. Broke in six months and homeless in 7. After prison twice, and three wives, countless jobs.. And .30 years was diagnosed PTSD. In 2000. Got a DD-215 40 years post Vietnam with my awards because I said something to my son about being hit by incoming. Life.... Wow!
Kevin B. O'Sullivan 10-Feb-2014 01:09
Thank you for the pictures which brought back some repressed memories. I destroyed the few
pictures I took and I'm sorry now, but your record was amazingly close.
Kevin O'Sullivan Bravo 1/16 Lai Khe Feb 1967- Feb 1968
Jim Norgon 21-Dec-2013 04:37
God bless you for all you have done. It was nice to see you and I hope to see you again.Jim
Guest 02-Dec-2013 05:05
Hi Dave-Skip Jiru again!! Thought I would let you know that our paths must have crossed many times after RVN!! I stayed in the Army and retired in 1997 while serving as CSM of BAMC!!
Thank you for your service at ISR and putting up with Basil Pruit-and of course all that we learned about how to take care of our wounded, ill and injured Service Members!
Skip
Long Bach Nguyen04-Aug-2013 05:52
Dave,
Great image of you and your wife. Fabulous career and thanks for your service. Hand salute to you
Dave Berry17-Jul-2013 23:27
Tom,
Coming from someone who has always represented great friendship and even greater courage, I can only hope that I resemble that remark.
Dave
Tom 17-Jul-2013 11:44
If you were even half the officer that you were as an enlisted man the Army had a great one!
Tom Briggs11-Jul-2013 18:30
Dave, a nice photo of you and your bride ,.. you had a spectacular career and a well-deserved retirement. It counds sometimes trite to say it, but in your case I mean it ... thanks for your service to your country and your fellow soldiers. You and I were part of the greatest team on earth.
Jim's Atavistic Visions11-Jul-2013 16:42
The Nation stays protected by you, and other like you and we owe you a big thank you and gratitude for your service! God bless!
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