“It is my duty, as a member of the Air Rescue Service, to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do that others may live.”

Pararescueman Killed in Action

Robert Berry was assigned to Detachment 5, 38 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. From Udorn, the units HH-3 (later HH-53) helicopters flew into Laos where they landed at Lima Sites. Lima Sites were airstrips built by the CIA in Laos during the Vietnam War. They were used by Air Rescue as forward operating locations to position helicopters close to North Vietnam (NVN) to reduce reaction time for SARs in NVN. The fact that the United States had troops and aircraft operating in Laos was Top Secret and the U.S. government denied that we did so. The rescue crews (low and high birds) spent the daylight hours  on SAR alert at these sites. Their alerts coincided with the timing of air strikes going into North Vietnam. The rescue helicopters had all markings identifying them as American aircraft covered up. The aircrews were also sanitized leaving behind personal possessions and carrying only their military ID cards that would allow them to be classified as POWs if captured in North Vietnam during a SAR. Upon returning to Udorn, Sergeant Berry became ill and was admitted to the base clinic. His condition worsened and it was decided to MEDEVAC him to the Clark Air Base Medical Center in the Philippines. While in that hospital, he passed away from Black Water Fever. Blackwater fever is a rare but serious complication of malaria that was endemic in Laos Because he died at Clark Air Base, and his illness was contracted in a country we denied we had troops in, his name was never submitted for inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. During the Vietnam War, U.S. operations in Laos was denied by the United States and any reference to those operations was classified SECRET. In 1993, President Clinton ordered the mandatory declassification of Vietnam War documents. From that point on, there was no further denial of Laotian military operations. The complete DoD Criteria for Adding Names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Walt DOD criteria for adding names to the Watt DoD policy specifies that a service member must have died under conditions described in one of the following criteria.  In Vietnam between November 1, 1955, and December 31,1960.  In the defined combat zone on or after January 1, 1961. As a result of wounds (combat or hostile related) sustained in the combat zone. White participating in, or providing direct support to, a combat mission immediately en route to or returning from a target within the defined combat zone. From physical injuries, other than wounds, occurring in a defined combat zone, provided that death occurred within 120 days from departing the defined combat zone and that death occurred within 120 days of the incident. From a diagnosed illness white in a defined combat zone or outside the combat zone provided that death occurred within 120 days from departing the defined combat zone and that death occurred within 120 days of the diagnosis. Robert Berry meets the fifth criteria. But, all we have about his contracting malaria are statements from three surviving members and Aaron Farrior's diary. What we really need is Berry's medical records. In order to find them, we need Berry's DoD service number. Service numbers were used until 1969 when they were replaced by SSN's. We are in the process of coordinating with the Air Force Historical Research Agency to access 1966 Det 5 38 ARRS records where we hope to find his service number and perhaps references to his having malaria and evacuation to Clark Medical Center. Correcting Sergeant Berry's status and getting him on the wall is the right thing to do. For 2-years the PJ Asso. (PJA) solicited for volunteers to work this project; but none came forward. Surviving members of Det 5 38 ARRS are few and the recent death of Transito Trujillo (member of Berry's unit) spurred the PJA to take immediate action by having our historian cease work on the website; digitizing over 100 medals awarded to PJs, and improving "This day in PJ/CRO History" projects. There are only so many projects one person (our historian) can take on. So, effective 22 August 2025, all projects the historian was working on EXCEPT the Robert Berry project are being put on hold. When the Berry project is completed, the historian will go back to work on his other projects.   The primary source documents we have on this case.      1.  30 June 1966 SAR mission report showing Berry on the ground at Lima Site 98      2.  Aaron Farrior diary excerpts re Berry malaria and notice of death            3.  Excepts from 1967 Area Handbook for Laos re malaria      4.  Data from national cemetery where Robert Berry is interred (pasted below).   SSgt Berry's Headstone We contacted Willamette National Cemetery to ask them if they have his service number and any contact information concerning his family. We submitted a request to Chief, Air Force Special Warfare, A34S, Pentagon, Washington D.C. requesting that they get copies of Roberts medical records. And then, act as OPR for the Robert Berry project to have him added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Washington D.C. A34S requested and received Roberts medical records. A34S requested PJ Asso provide all other evidence we had. PJ Historian contacted the office of vital records at Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. We asked for and received a copy of Robert's death certificate. It stated that he died of malaria at the Clark Air Base Medical Center on 23 July 1966. PJ historian identified all known still living PJs who were assigned to Robert's unit. There were two found who wrote extensive letters documenting Robert's exposure to malaria from his frequent trips to Laos. These documents were forwarded to A34S. A34S requested and received copies of Robert's AF Form 5 (Individual Flight Records). Much to the PJ Associations amazement, USAF still had these records and forwarded them to A34S. Robert's form 5 showed several times each week he was deployed to Lima Site. PJ Asso. Historian located a copy of the 1967 Area Handbook for Laos (DA Pam No. 550-58) published June 1967. This documents research and writing were completed on 15 December 1966. This book stated "Malaria is endemic to all parts of the country, and in 1966 it was the most important single cause of sickness, physical inefficiency and premature death. There are regional variations in the incidence of malaria, but, as a whole, about 50 percent of the country's inhabitants were estimated to suffer from the disease in the early 1960's." PJA Historian submitted an Evet request to the National Archives requesting a copy of Robert's service records. That request was denied because only relatives or official USAF business can access those records. After 62 years from the members separation from USAF those records become available to the general public. Robert's records won't be in the public domain until 23 July 2028. While the PJA was unable to get them, A34S was able to get them. The PJA Historian found a copy of the SAR mission report and sent it to A34S. That report is available here. We stated the following in our submission "The attached declassified mission report places SSgt Berry on the ground at Lima Site 98 on 30Jun1966 to pull strip alert for possible Search and Rescues (SARs) from pilots egressing from North Vietnam and returning to bases in Thailand. Soon after returning from the Lima Site 98 he became ill and reported to sick call. The Flight Surgeon first placed him on quarters for recovery. A few days later he was admitted to the Udorn medical clinic and then evacuated to Clark for definitive treatment. He died on 23Jul1966, about 3 weeks from his last Lima Site strip alert. See earlier sent statements from Berry’s teammates documenting these facts. Also attached is a copy of his Silver Star for a mission he flew in Laos on 22Apr1966. In February 2026, A34S forwarded the entire package to AFPC/DPFCM which is the missing persons branch within the Air Forces Personnel Center. It has a sub office of the Directorate of Airman and Family Care (DPF) and operates as the Air Force Service Casualty Office. USAF has designated them as the office to review additions to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They have acknowledged receipt and are searching for other records concerning Robert's death. AFPC/DPFCM expects to submit Robert's package to the casualty review board sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2026. The casualty review board makes the final decision. We believe we have a solid case and are eagerly awaiting their decision. Some members of the PJ Association believe we should submit a congressional request for positive action. We are holding this option open until the casualty review board makes it's decision. If the casualty review board does not agree to add Robert, then we will submit a congressional request for action.
Silver Star for April 22 1966 SAR	30 June 1966 SAR Report
Letter requesting Berry be Added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.	Excerpts from Aaron Farrior diary re: Berry malaria and his death
co-pilot Capt Francis Hendrickson  pilot 1st Lt  Forest Kimsey    FE SSgt Donald Chance The pilot sticks a pencil thru one of the holes made by a bullet that just missed him in the right seat of the CH-3. Picture was after a 21 April 1966 SAR in Laos. The pilot in command of the CH-3 sits in the right seat. Read the 21 April 1966 mission report