Described repeatedly as recognition that was overdue, the Silver Star Medal was awarded, June 3, to Marine Sgt. Paul J. Berdy, 70, of Middletown, Rhode Island for his actions rescuing a pilot and co-pilot from their burning helicopter in Vietnam January 25, 1967.

Attending the ceremony in Beirut Memorial Hall Auditorium, Marine Corps Detachment (MARDET), Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, were Berdy's family, close friends, a Marine Corps contingent assigned to NAVSTA Newport; and students from Aviation Logistics Tactical Information System (ALTIS) School, MARDET Newport.

Also attending and seated onstage during the ceremony were members of Berdy's unit, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division who were eyewitnesses to his actions that day: Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Dan Sullivan of Lake George, Colorado -- a 19-year-old corporal during the Vietnam War, and one of the Marines Berdy pulled from the burning Chinook helicopter; Tobias Torres of Lamarida, California; Ron Torbic of The Villages, Florida; and Cpl. George Schneider of Tennessee.

"This has been long overdue," said guest speaker retired Marine Col. Arthur Weber, who served as former advisor to the Dean, Center for Naval Warfare Studies, Naval War College from June 1996 to July 1998. Weber was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in Vietnam in 1968 serving respectively as platoon commander, S-3A, and company commander.

"Today is about the infantry Soldier," Weber said in his remarks. "They do exceptional things in combat."

Weber currently teaches the Vietnam War and Leadership elective at NWC, and he told a story about a Marine corporal who in October 1968 came to the aid of two F-4 Phantom pilots after their aircraft crashed in Vietnam. The Marine corporal retrieved ammunition at the crash site. Another story told by Weber involved his brother Peter, an Army specialist, who earned a Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam in April 1968.

"These two incidents have something in common in that both risked their lives to protect the life of others," Weber said.

In his brief remarks to the audience, Berdy said "I can feel the spirit here and it is alive. The next time you pass the flag of the United States of America and it is waving, it is not the wind but it is from the last breath of a soldier."

"This was something I was looking forward to," Berdy said after the ceremony.

Commenting on the length of time it took to have his combat actions verified, Berdy said, "I can't complain."

Berdy was a lineman and electrician with former New England Power, now National Grid, for 40 years until his retirement.

It was a telephone conversation between Sullivan and Schneider more than six years ago that prompted interest in Berdy's actions that day. "I had heard the scuttlebutt about a Marine who saved the lives of a pilot and co-pilot," Sullivan said. "Did he get a Silver Star?"

Sullivan, from Windsor Locks, Connecticut, provided covering fire at the zone to help protect Berdy.

"I was afraid that day, but it is how you react that matters," Sullivan said.

This question prompted Schneider to start researching whether Berdy's actions as a weapons squad leader merited recognition from Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, Awards and Decorations.

"We had talked about it for years," Torres said. "I wanted to see that he got what he deserved. He is a great man. Today we are here for each other."

Torbic, a rifle platoon leader, was part of the security force setup to protect other Marines at the landing zone. "This was just another day of being exposed to enemy gunfire," he said.

"This was long overdue," said Marine Lt. Col. Mathew Palma, master of ceremonies, and an instructor with the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, NWC. "[Berdy's] was a selfless devotion to duty. His actions were truly heroic."

"On January 25, 1967, his actions were beyond the call of duty," Palma said. "He represents the legacy of our Corps. What you are witnessing is an example of how to take care of each other."

Berdy's Silver Star Medal citation reads, in part, ... for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy ... Corporal Berdy was part of a force providing landing zone security, for a mission to extract a reconnaissance element ... while loading Marines in the landing zone, one of the helicopters came under enemy automatic weapons fire. As it attempted to take off, it was struck repeatedly and crashed back into the zone impacting its starboard side ... observing this, Corporal Berdy hastily set his Marines in a defensive perimeter, and immediately proceeded, still under enemy fire, to the stricken and burning helicopter. After ensuring the passenger compartment had been evacuated, he ran to the front of the aircraft where he was joined by the crew chief and several other Marines. After an intense struggle, they were able to create an opening and pulled the two pilots out of the cockpit before the aircraft became engulfed in flames. All of the Marines were subsequently extracted safely and returned to base. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Berdy reflected great credit himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
For the President, signed Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, signed Nov. 13, 2015.

For the young Marines attending the ceremony, it was a lesson in how Marines take care of each other.

"It makes you proud there are people like Cpl. Berdy who you can call your brother," said ALTIS student Pfc. Christian Foshee, of Illinois.

As the waiting line of Marines departed the auditorium, they congratulated Berdy with a handshake and bid him "Semper Fi."

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