MISSING
Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Berry, 2319 Avenue C, have received word that their son, Kenneth C. Berry, fireman 1/C, was missing in action.
This is the second time the Berry home has been stricken with the pangs of world war II. Another son, Sgt. James, was reported to be in a German prison camp recently. Sgt. Berry was captured in Tunisia in February.
Fireman 1/C Berry, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson high school in 1938, was employed in the Nonpareil stereotype room previous to his enlistment. Berry enlisted in February, 1941.
Berry spent a 15-day furlough with his parents in October of 1942. At that time, he had been on convoy duty, and had made four trips to Europe.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Thursday, October 14, 1943 (photo included)
KENNETH BERRY LISTED AS KILLED
Reported Missing Over Year Ago
After being listed for more than a year as missing in action, Kenneth Coit Berry, machinist’s mate 3/c, is reported as dead, according to word received Saturday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Berry, 2319 Avenue C.
Berry, 25, former Nonpareil stereotyper, was killed when the U. S. S. Buck, a destroyer, was torpedoed while on submarine patrol south of the Isle of Capri, on October 9, 1943.
The severity of the explosion caused the ship to sink rapidly and casualties were heavy, the navy reported to the family.
Berry’s brother, Sgt. James, is in a German prison camp. Before his ship was sent to the Mediterranean, Kenneth had been on convoy duty in the Atlantic.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sunday, October 29, 1944
Receive Purple Heart for Son
Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Berry, 2319 Avenue C, have received the purple heart posthumously awarded their son, Machinist’s Mate 3/c Kenneth Coit Berry, who was killed Oct .9, 1943, in the sinking of the destroyer Buck south of the Isle of Capri.
Berry, a former Nonpariel stereotyper, had been listed as missing in action for a year prior to being listed as dead Oct. 29.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Wednesday, January 10, 1945
Two Mothers Are Given Gold Stars
At the Wednesday evening meeting of the Navy Mothers held at the Eagles hall, two mothers were presented with gold stars, bringing the total number of stars presented up to seven. Mothers receiving the stars are Mrs. Faye Berry, in honor of her son, Machinist’s Mate 3/c Kenneth Berry, and Mrs. Even Nelson, 914 Twenty-fifth avenue, in honor of her son, Herbert Nelson, seaman 2/c.
Guests at the meeting included Chief Walter Tender and Mrs. Ben N. Grahl. Chief Grahl has been stationed with the Atlantic fleet.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Wednesday, May 04, 1945
Kenneth Coit Berry was born May 8, 1919 to Edwin Coit and Meta Cox Berry. He died Oct. 9, 1943 (at Sea)/FOD Oct. 10, 1944 and is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
