Ralph Russell Berg

Private First Class
D CO, 1ST BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
11 January 1949 - 07 March 1968
Paxton, Massachusetts
Panel 43E Line 040

3RD MARDIV

3RD MARINES
Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Ralph Russell Berg

08 Jul 1999

Ralph, I remember you well in Marine boot camp Platoon 1004.
Quiet, but very determined! I was very sorry to see your name on the Wall in DC.
You were one of four Marines from our platoon that was KIA.
Lovan, Spirito, and Thomas were the other three.

I'll say this for the rest of the platoon: We are proud of all of you guys.

"Another Marine reporting, SIR!"

Semper Fi,
Richard J. Mullins
Formerly Port Clinton, Ohio
Former Marine 67-71
ascottishdrummer@aol.com

04 Apr 2004

Ralph, I remember you because of your quiet bravery in defense of your friends.

Semper Fi,
Paul Larson
Northern I Corps, 68-69
E-Mail will be forwarded by the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

28 Dec 2006

Ralph was my first cousin. His mother and mine were twin sisters. His mother, Gladys Anderson, was a widow with only one child, and had to sign a release for Ralph to enlist. She did so because he was so intent on becoming a Marine.

Gladys missed him very much after he was killed in action and lived alone for the rest of her life. Of course, she had her family, but not her son. She became a Gold Star Mother from Massachusetts and was one of five GS Mothers who traveled to Viet Nam to dedicate a hospital given by donors from Massachusetts through an organization whose name I do not remember.

At the dedication of the hospital, she gave a wonderful speech which was broadcast on Walter Cronkite's newscast. I was privileged to see it, although I did not have any notice.

Ralph is the only family member to have served in Viet Nam and the family is very proud of his service and sacrifice. We only became aware of this website earlier this year when my grandaughter was doing a college reasearch assignment on that conflict.

Ralph's family and I are very proud of him and all of the service men and women who responded when their country called. God bless you all.

From a cousin,
Walter H. Johnson (Skip)
234 Round Cove Road, Chatham, Ma 02633
skip.johnson@comcast.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

The 1st Bn, 3rd Marines lost 13 men in a bitter fight at Phu Tai (3) hamlet, 3 kilometers northeast of Dong Ha village in Quang Tri Province:
  • A Company:
    • LCpl Leslie Cook, Philadelphia, PA
    • LCpl Abraham R. Derryberry, Shreveport, LA (Silver Star)
    • LCpl Richard Ginal, Detroit, MI
    • LCpl Ralph L. Hammel, Duncansville, PA
    • LCpl William J. Muldovan, Watertown, NY
    • Pfc Carmine Casillo, Buffalo, NY
    • Pfc Edward L. Hoover, Huntersville, NC
    • Pfc Sterling P. Johnson, Carlin, NV
    • Pfc George M. Lamberton, Doraville, GA

  • D Company:
    • Cpl Esau Whitehead, New York, NY
    • Pfc Ralph R. Berg, Paxton, MA
    • Pfc Richard D. Hall, Whittier, CA

  • H&S Company:
    • LCpl Stephen W. Hathaway, Tucson, AZ



The other men identified by Mr. Mullins in the entry above are


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a buddy,
Rich Mullins
ascottishdrummer@aol.com



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 08 Jul 1999
Last updated 03/13/2007