OC honors only native son killed in Vietnam

Barry Berger, the sole Ocean City native to be killed during the Vietnam conflict, will be honored with a memorial in front of City Hall after a request from a local veterans group was approved during the city council meeting on Jan. 17.

Nelson Kelly, Vietnam Veterans of America Ocean City Chapter 1091 president, who presented the proposal to the council, shared some background of the young man who put his own educational pursuits at American University on hold to serve his country, a decision for which he paid the ultimate price.

“After being in college for a few years and all the protests going on, the flag burning and things of that nature, Barry left American University and joined the U.S. Army,” he said. “After basic training he went on to Army Ranger training and graduated with honors.”

Kelly characterized the Army Rangers as an elite unit who conducts search and destroy, as well as rescue mission, behind enemy lines.

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