Sioux City Flier Is Navy Hero
N.L.A. Berger Is Awarded Medal for Action in Battles
Washington – The navy announced today that seven aviators have been awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in the Coral sea battle last May and the Midway Island battle in June.
They included:
Lieut. (Junior Grade) N. L. A. Berger, 30, of 2812 Summitt Street, Sioux City, Iowa
Berger was a pilot in a scouting squadron in the battle of Midway. His citation said that he denied “extreme danger from concentrated antiaircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition” and “with utter disregard for his own personal safety participated in persistent and vigorous attacks against the Japanese invasion fleet.”
“His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to the accomplishment of a vastly important objective contributed in large measure to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval service.”
Lieut. Berger was a visitor in the home of his mother, Mrs. H. C. Berger, 2812 Summit Street, last July. At the request of The Journal-Tribune office, he came to the office, was photographed, and a graphic word picture was given of the heroic defense by American forces June 4 near Midway Island when Japanese carrier based planes launched an attack.
“When the enemy began its full scale invasion,” said the young officer, “it found an island alert and ready. A heavy toll was taken of enemy planes. In the four-day battle which followed we drove the Japs out and damaged and sank battleships, aircraft carriers and planes. They came toward the island with everything they had including their best battleships, newest carriers and fastest cruisers.”
Mrs. Berger said that she received a letter from her son today. He is stationed at present at Pensacola, where he is an instructor.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, November 21, 1942 (photo included)
Sioux City Flier Decorated – Little “Douggie” Gray just couldn’t wait when her daddy received a gold star in lieu of a second distinguished flying cross for heroic action in the south west Pacific, so she broke into formation to clasp his knee in congratulations. The grinning father is Lieut. James S. Gray of Milwaukee. Others decorated in the ceremony at the naval air training center at Pensacola, Florida are Lieut. I.H. McPherson, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (center) and Lieut. Nels L.A. Berger, Sioux City.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, December 1942 (photo included)
Sioux Cityan Is Aid to Naval Invasion Chief Admiral Kirk
Lieut. Comdr. L. Berger Praises Soldiers and Sailors
By Park Rispalje
“Plenty of first class guts,” is the way Lieut. Comdr. Luther Berger described the most important equipment of the soldiers and sailors who landed on the shores of France in the face of enemy fire on D-Day. And he should know because he was aid too Admiral A. G. Kirk, commander of all the American Naval Forces in the invasion of France and was on the flagship Augusta, which led the host vessels that carried the fighting forces to the shores of continental Europe.
Comdr. Berger is here on leave; having arrived from England by airplane accompanied by his brother, Robert Berger, recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after completing 35 missions over Europe. Both fighters are sons of Mrs. Mina Berger, 2812 Summit Street.
“ The courage and stamina displayed by the invading fighters is unbelievable and beyond description,” Comdr. Berger said, “and the American people at home must be very proud of them. There are no better fighters in the world.”
WAS ON YORKTOWN
Comdr. Berger has been in the service since 1938 and won his naval aviation wings at Pensacola, Florida in 1939. He was attached to carriers for three years in the Pacific and the Atlantic. He was assigned to the Yorktown at the time that carriers was torpedoed and when he returned could not land on the disabled carrier and was forced to land on a different carrier.
Prior to the invasion he was transferred to serve as aid to Admiral Kirk and was with the admiral on the U.S.S. Augusta which, incidentally, was the ship upon which the Atlantic charter was signed by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill.
He has had experience with the “Buzz” bombs that have been hitting England so heavily in the last few months and said that the determined attitude of the Britons and the morale of the people in face of the terrifying robot bomb attacks is inspiring.
He is a graduate of the Storm Lake High School and had four years at Iowa State College and later attended the University of Southern California. While there he was awarded his appointment as naval cadet for that district. He received his preliminary elimination training at Long Beach airbase and then was transferred to Pensacola where he won his naval pilot wings.
On his blouse he wears the ribbons denoting Asiatic, Pacific, American and European service, has three stars denoting participation in that many major engagements. He has earned the Navy Cross and was a member of a unit that won a presidential unit citation.
Comdr. Berger stated that many members of the crew of the Yorktown were killed by the concussion caused when the depth bombs on a destroyer which was sunk about the same time the Yorktown was torpedoed, exploded. The men were swimming in the water awaiting rescue. Those who were floating on their backs on the surface of the sea were not injured when the depth bombs let go but those who were treading water and swimming low in the water were crushed by the concussion.
He was to leave Sioux City today and report at Washington for reassignment.
Source: The Sioux City Journal-Tribune, August 20, 1944 (photo included)
Lt. Comdr. N. Berger Given Bronze Star
Lt. Comdr. N. L. A. Berger, son of Mrs.Mina Berger, 2812 Summit street, has been awarded the Bronze star medal for “exercising exceptional ability as a naval aid assisting other officers in planning the air operation of D-day.” In addition, he has been awarded the Navy cross for performance of duty in the Pacific.
Comdr. Berger entered the service in 1938, and won his naval aviation wings at Pensacola, Fla., in 1939. He has been attached to carriers in the Pacific and Atlantic, and has served as aid to Admiral Kirk.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 30, 1945
Nels Luther Alvin (Luther) Berger was born Jan. 15, 1912 to Helmer Cornelius and Mina Mickelson Berger. He died Aug. 7, 1998 in Alameda, CA.
Source: ancestry.com
