Posted by Bill Gallagher on April 26, 2014:

I recently learned of General Berry's death and was very saddened. At the same time I remembered many happy memories of this most remarkable man. I first met him as a Yearling, I believe, and was one of many, many cadets that hung out at his enormous set of quarters on Washington Road. He captivated us with his stories and humor and sometimes quirky ways. He was brilliant, charming, funny, and blisteringly direct most of the time, especially with the slightest breech of cadetiquette. He had the heartiest of laughs and would frequently shout, "What?!" as a routine end to sentences. It took some time for me to realize he wasn't looking for an answer. I remember the sign on his refrigerator: "There is no ice contained herein." That's the lawyer talking. I also remember one night at a men's basketball game, when Colonel Berry (I always think of him as Colonel Berry) stood in the stands and shouted, "Referee, you are IN-COM-PE-TENT!" The field house was pretty empty that game and the ref actually looked up at Colonel Berry and acknowledged the comment. Such a generous man. Colonel Berry allowed my entire wedding party to sleep at his quarters the night before my wedding. They were so impressed! Once, Colonel Berry visited me in Mainz, Germany when I was a platoon leader and BDUs had just become the duty uniform. He wore them, but refused to wear a brown t shirt underneath and because it was summer, he chose to unbotton the blouse several buttons. It looked like a BDU leisure suit, and I said to him, "Sir, you've got to button that up or wear a t shirt.". He replied that no, he was not going to do that. So off we went into the kaserne. I last saw Colonel Berry in 2004 when I was a brigade commander. He visited my brigade looking very dapper in blazer and straw hat. He was the same guy all those years later and it was a wonderful visit. I lost contact with him over the past decade and I regret that. But he was one of the most memorable people I have known, and I will miss his not being out there. Bill Gallagher, USMA 1981

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