WWII Hero Allan O. Berryhill |
Allan Orr Berryhill, son of Wayne and Iva Berryhill, was born on the family farm, four miles east and two miles south of Buffalo Center on March 4, 1922. There he grew to manhood, attending the rural school across the road fro his home. The Tom Potter family lived over the bridge and up the hill and the boys enjoyed Sunday afternoon ballgames, hunting and fishing and swimming in the "old swimming hole" in the summertime; and coasting, skating, snowballing and hunting in winter. He enjoyed life. After high school graduation he farmed with his father for a time before enlisting in the Army in the fall of 1942. By that time he was 6 ft. 4 in. tall and had been nicknamed "Beany" by his friends.
He was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri and then to other camps in Louisiana, Texas and California. Classified "Inactive," he had the necessary surgery performed in order to be classified "1-A" and fit for overseas duty. He was assigned to Troop "A" 89th Cav. Recon. Btn.
He reached England in the fall of 1944 and was soon in action on the continent. He fought through the Battle of the Bulge and soon after that was wounded and hospitalized for a time and was awarded the Purple Heart at that time. He also received a field promotion to Corporal. Back at the front, while scouting ahead of the troops, a shell exploded near him, killing him instantly. He died March 3rd, the day before his 23rd birthday. The family received the dreaded telegram in late March. A memorial service was held for him on April 22nd at the Congregational Church. He was awarded another Purple Heart posthumously. His body was returned to Buffalo Center in November of 1947 and is interred in the family plot in Olena Mound Cemetery.
~photo & text from the Buffalo Center Centennial, 1892-1992, pg 142
~contributed by Ken Moen~*~*~
