Lt. Colonel Thomas E. Berry

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas E. Berry began his military career as a Private in Co C, 1st Bn, 141st INF, 36th INF DIV, Texas National Guard. He served in the Texas National Guard until May 29, 1940.

On September 11, 1943, LTC Berry joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and attended various Marine Corps schools. He graduated from USMC Officer Candidate School on April 11, 1944 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, assigned as Marine Officer on the U.S.S. Philadelphia. His Marine Corps service extended to July 2, 1948 with assignments as: Guard Officer, USMC Barracks, Philadelphia, PA, and Brooklyn, NY; Commander, Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Houston; Executive Officer, Company B, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Le Jeune, NC; and post World War II Occupation duty in Europe.

On July 20, 1948, Thomas Berry re-joined the Texas National Guard with the rank of Captain, and served continuously until February 15, 1967 in various assignments including: senior aide-de-camp to the Commanding General, 36th In f Div; Commander., HQ Co, 36th Inf Div; Assistant Chief of Staff, 36th Inf Div; and commander, 1st Bn, 143d Inf, 36th Inf Div. He retired from active National Guard service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

LTC Berry was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Guard Association of Texas in 1964, and provided outstanding service and effective leadership during the formative years of NGAT. From 1964-1966, he served as Chairman of the Resolutions Committee.

In 1966, LTC Berry conceived the idea of an NGAT Educational Foundation to supplement the scholarship program. Utilizing his legal background and resources, LTC Berry devoted countless hours to the preparation of documents, acknowledgments, and correspondence to satisfy state and federal requirements for establishment of the NGAT Educational Foundation. Without his tireless efforts, the establishment of a foundation to support the NGAT scholarship program would not have been possible. Since the establishment of the foundation, 304 scholarships have been awarded to members of the Texas National Guard.

In 1967, LTC Berry received the Minuteman Award, NGAT's highest award for distinguished service. He is a charter member of the Texas Guard Legislative Task Force: his dedication to the Guard and his personal influence with members of Congress and the Texas Legislature has resulted in millions of dollars of equipment, construction, and recruiting and retention benefits for our state and nation.

The personal efforts and dedicated service of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas E. Berry reflect great credit upon himself, the Texas National Guard, and the State of Texas.

Texas Army National Guard

1995