Sidney Bryan Berry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sidney Bryan Berry
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LTG Sidney Bryan Berry
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| Born | February 10, 1926 Hattiesburg, Mississippi, US |
| Died | July 1, 2013 (aged 87) Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, US |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1948–1980 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | A Company 1st Battalion 35th Infantry, Korea 1950–51, 1st Arm Rifle Battalion 54th Inf 4th Armor Div 1959–60, 1st Brigade 1st Div Republic of Viet Nam 1966–67, 101st Airborne Division, Assistant Division Commander, Republic of Viet Nam 1970–1971, 101st Airborne Div 197374, Superintendent, United States Military Academy, V Corps, US Army, Europe 1977–80. |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star (4) Legion of Merit (4) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star for Valor Air Medal (42) Purple Heart (2) Combat Infantryman Badge (2) |
Sidney Bryan Berry (born February 10, 1926 – died July 1, 2013) was an important leader in the United States Army. He reached the high rank of Lieutenant General. He also served as the head of West Point, a famous military school, from 1974 to 1977. Later, he worked as the Commissioner of Public Safety for Mississippi, his home state, from 1980 to 1984.
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Early Life and Military Training
Sidney Bryan Berry was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on February 10, 1926. He was chosen to attend West Point, a top military academy. He graduated from West Point in 1948. After graduating, he became a second lieutenant in the infantry. His first assignment was in Japan in 1949.
Serving His Country: Two Wars
Berry's military career included serving in two major wars.
Korean War Service
His first combat experience was as a company commander in the Korean War. For his bravery and service in Korea, he received several important awards. These included two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star for Valor, and a Purple Heart. He also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Learning and Teaching
After the Korean War, Berry continued his education. He earned a graduate degree from Columbia University between 1951 and 1953. He then returned to West Point, where he taught in the Department of Social Sciences from 1953 to 1956. Later, he worked as a military assistant to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara from 1961 to 1964. This role involved traveling to South Vietnam many times. In 1964 and 1965, Berry studied at the U.S. Army War College. He also spent a year at the Council of Foreign Relations in New York City from 1967 to 1968.
Vietnam War Service
Berry served a total of two and a half years in the Vietnam War. His service took place between 1965 and 1971. During his first tour (1965–1966), he was an adviser to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam's 7th Division. He was wounded a second time during this period. For his service in Vietnam, he received many honors. These included the Distinguished Service Medal, two more Silver Stars, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also earned two Legion of Merits, another Purple Heart, and 42 Air Medals. He also received a second Combat Infantryman Badge.
Leading West Point
In 1974, Sidney Berry became the 50th Superintendent of West Point. This was a challenging time for the academy. He oversaw the first time women were allowed to join West Point in the summer of 1976. After his time as Superintendent, Berry commanded the V Corps of the U.S. Army in Europe from 1977 to 1980. He retired from active military service on March 1, 1980.
Awards and Honors
Sidney Bryan Berry received many awards for his brave service:
Life After the Military
After retiring from the military, Berry served as Mississippi's Commissioner of Public Safety. He held this position from 1980 to 1984. After that, he retired to Pennsylvania.
Sidney Berry passed away on July 1, 2013, at a retirement home in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He was 87 years old and died from complications related to Parkinson's disease. He was survived by his wife, Anne, whom he had been married to for 64 years. He also had two daughters, a son, and 12 grandchildren.
Sources
| Military offices
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| Preceded by William Allen Knowlton |
Superintendents of the United States Military Academy 1974–1977 |
Succeeded by Andrew Jackson Goodpaster |
