3 inducted into Berks County Military Hall of Fame

Oct. 20—Three more military heroes have been inducted into the Berks County Military Hall of Fame.

The county commissioners, during their weekly meeting Thursday, accepted the nomination of the new inductees, bringing the total number to 71.

The hall of fame was founded in 2009 to recognize the men and women from the county who demonstrated gallantry in combat or achieved notable accolades for their military service. Berks is among only a few counties in Pennsylvania to honor its veterans with a hall of fame.

Each year the county assembles a volunteer representative from each of the branches of service to review nominations and present the names to Ken Lebron, director of the county veterans affairs office, who presents them to the commissioners for approval.

The hometown heroes are honored at the annual Berks County Veterans Appreciation Dinner and Dance in the Wilson High School gymnasium. This year's event will be held Nov. 5.

The following are this year's inductees and their achievements:

—The late Maj. Gen. David M. Gregg was the recipient of the Army Special Recognition and Achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving in the Civil War.

Throughout the Civil War, Gregg skillfully led the men under his command and on numerous occasions displayed great courage in battle. He participated in major Virginia campaigns between 1862 and 1864 as well as conflicts at Antietam and Gettysburg.

His repulsion of Jeb Stuart's Cavalry on the last day at Gettysburg kept the Confederates from attacking the rear of the Union line countering Pickett's charge.

In 1864, the War Department promoted Gregg to major general and appointed him to command the Army of Potomac's Cavalry Corp.

His men remembered him as an officer always to be found at the point of greatest danger. One who could not only lead them into battle, but also bring them out safely. His service as an Army officer during the Civil War was exemplary and his actions significantly contributed to the victory of the Union and the preservation of the United States of America.

Although Gregg was not a native son of Berks, his wife was from Reading and together they settled in the city following his military service. After his retirement from service, he dedicated his life to service and civic affairs in Pennsylvania.

Upon his death, he was buried in Charles Evans cemetery. At the close of World War I, the American Legion Post #12 in Reading was named the Gregg Post in his honor. He was so well respected by the citizens of the Reading that shortly after his passing, they erected the life-size equestrian bronze statue of Gregg in Centre Park in appreciation of his service to the country.

—The late Cpl. Bernard Radomski was awarded the Marine Navy Cross Medal for Heroism for his action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in September 1944 during World War II.

After Japanese troops had infiltrated American lines and set up two automatic weapons that were inflicting serious casualties and hampering the advance of forces, Radomski left the comparative safety of his position and, with another Marine, boldly advanced on the hostile strong point. He charged the Japanese emplacement, annihilating eight of the enemy and capturing the two machine guns before he collapsed as a result of his wounds.

Radomski died before medical aid could be administered.

—The late Capt. Ward Rodney Price was the recipient of the Army Air Medal for his service in World War II, where he served in combat as a 1st lieutenant in General Patton's Third Army.

He first served as a forward observer in an airplane called "grasshopper" and flew 43 missions. As a forward observer, he was responsible for locating and radioing enemy positions for targeting back to command. He was shot down on his 43rd mission.

The pilot was able to crash land in such a way that the plane split in half and the pilot and Price escaped without serious injury. They worked their way through enemy territory back to Allied lines.

Then he was given command of a tank. Over the next 241 days of combat he participated in France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, the Battle of the Bulge, the liberation of a German concentration camp and later attained the rank of captain.

He was awarded the Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Four Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was a 75-year member of American Legion Post #12 in Reading.

For more information on the Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance tickets, visit any Boscov's location, or send checks for $15 per ticket to Wilson High School, Attention JROTC, 2601 Grandview Blvd., West Lawn, PA 19609; or call 610-378-5601.