Private David V Berardi
David V. "Dave" Berardi
was born February 6, 1922 in Pennsylvania in the mining's village of
Nemacolin. His parents are Italian immigrants original Sant'Agata Feltria,
near Rimini, San Marino.
The family has 9 children, Dave has 4 brothers and 4 sisters.
On December 2, 1942, he was drafted, he was sent to Pittsburgh and then to
the selection center at Fort Meade.
On January 12, 1943, Dave Berardi volunteered for the paratroopers, he was
sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he joins Company A, 1st Battalion,
505th PIR of the 82nd Airborne.
On July 9, 1943, Dave Berardi participating in the first attack Airborne
Regimental. The men then vaulted the weather conditions were not good. The
wind was blowing at over 56km/h and training, a paragraph does not jump over
25km/h. During the fighting, the paratroopers had to face the Italians in
particular the General Guzzoni who counter attacked the Germans and
especially the terrible elite division "Hermann Goering". During the
fighting, Dave was wounded. He also sent his medal to his mother in a box of
rations K.
On March 12, 1943, Dave Berardi participates in the jump on the beachhead at
Salerno, where he met again the troops of the "Hermann Goering".
He participated in the Italian's campaign.
Then, Dave and his comrades were sent to England to prepare for the
offensive on the Fortress Europe.
On June 5, 1944, at 11:15pm, the aircraft taking off to Dave Berardi towards
the DZ O devolved in the 505th PIR. Compared with other paratroopers, 98% of
men are on target a few hundred meters of Ste Mere Eglise. One objective was
the capture and defense of the bridge of La Fiere which led to the loss of
81 men on the 147 that had the Dave's company. On 66 remainders, 20 raised
multiple bandages and needed urgent care. Dave Berardi was among them.
On September 17, 1944, Dave Berardi participated in his 4th combat jump
during Operation Market Garden in Holland. At Groesbeek, Dave Berardi risked
his life providing ammunition to a small group of men became trapped in a
house surrounded by the Germans. Among these men was Robert "Bob" Murphy
(see Chapter VETERANS). But Dave Berardi was again shot in Mook. He received
his 3rd Purple Heart. He was hospitalized and shortly after a brief rest
period in England, he rejoined his unit in France in the region of Reims.
On December 16, 1944 is the Battle of the Bulge. In non-sheeted trucks, Dave
and his companions are sent to Belgium, first of all towards Bastogne and
then towards Werbomont. Bastogne returning to the 101st Airborne.
The fate of Dave Berardi ends tragically on January 6, 1945. The 505th PIR
has to move towards Arbrefontaine. Dave is a scout sent aboard a Jeep Wyllis
because the attack would depend on the situation on the heights of
Arbrefontaine.
Early in the morning, Devant le Bois street, Dave approaching a bend. He
does not know, 300 meters after the turn: 2 Tigers. The first occupies the
hairpin towards Goronne, the second is farther away. It occupies another
crossroads facing towards the railway.
The jaws of the huge 88mm cannon is masked by a white cloth. Nobody saw
anything coming. A shot, only one.
David V. Berardi is killed instantly, he is older than 22 years.
At first, his body was buried in Henri Chapelle cemetery. Since 1947 he
rests in the United States to Nemacolin near his parents.
I died with weapons in hand but I'm not a bloodthirsty warrior. I'm
just a good soldier. I was devoted to my country and I have to honor my
flag. I'm proud to have participated in campaigns through which men, women
have regained their lost freedom. It is liberating that I'm dead. If it was
to do again, I would.
Excerpt from "Angels of Mons", book. Michel BARA, the cousin of Dave
Berardi.