How many soldiers are there willing to serve the United States of America for 41-years and 7-months? How many soldiers are there who are able and willing to serve our country this long? We know of only one, but his quick version of recapping his forty-one plus years is simply stated: "Regular Army, 1953 to 1956; Reserves, 1956 to 1972; AGR/Active Guard Reserve and back on duty, 1972 to 1993. Retired, Master Sergeant."
How many mothers are there who have witnessed their son or daughter graduate from "Boot Camp"? How many mothers are there who have waited in fear during times of war and worriedly watched newscasts on television throughout years of turmoil around the globe? How many mothers have breathed a sigh of relieve over twenty years later, even while knowing the price of disability would be the end result. How many organizations support persons with and without disabilities, heroes and American troops, fight for greater access and at the same time, place major emphasis on historic preservation in North America and support a program, "Military Pride"? What are the odds of having a member within Military Pride, a former soldier of 41-years and 7-months, nominated for induction as a distinguished Honorary Member of the Ranger Hall of Fame? This happening unfolded in August 2007 with admiration, respect, and honor, simply called "Military Pride".
Age brings perspective and wisdom; Memories prevail. Gilbert Berg served nearly twice as many years as the average military retiree and the heart will forever honor having this important member in our organization who continues to serve with "Letters from our Soldiers on the Battlefield" for our readership. We are proud of every individual who is willing to put on a pair of boots to serve our county, but this member is an extraordinary individual and we are honored to share a small portion of the enormous military pride he has given our hearts.
Julia Hollenbeck
Gilbert M. Berg, Master Sergeant, (Retired) U.S. Army
On May 3, 2007, Master Sergeant Gilbert M. Berg (Retired) U.S. Army, received formal announcement he was selected for induction as an Honorary Member of the Ranger Hall of Fame for his dedication and devotion to the Rangers. His presence was respectfully requested at the Ranger Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on August 8, 2007, by William F. Kernan, General (Retired), U.S. Army, President of Ranger Hall of Fame Executive Board.
The nomination of Mr. Berg was based on factual, personable interviews commending him for his dedication of living his live to serve our nation, through the United States Army and Rangers. He became known as "General Greb" within the Ranger community beginning his service in 1974, establishing and serving as the Opposing Force Commander to enhance training for the 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger). He was instrumental with support and training for readiness of the 1/75 Rangers for four years.
Marking combat readiness for the first Ranger battalion activated following World War II, Gil Berg was the "unlikely" observer/controller while serving at the United States Army Reserve in 1974 at Fort Stewart. His perseverance and dedication to meet the challenge became a factor as other young Rangers adopted him as one of their own and he thus became the unofficial mentor outside the chain of command, guiding many young Rangers to future roles as senior noncommissioned officers, officers, or citizen Soldiers.
Gil Berg volunteered to do anything he could to enhance Ranger training and readiness. His calling was with Captain Tisdale, the Battalion S2, as the Commanding General of the Opposing Force (OPFOR) for training and his positive enthusiasm and dedication spread throughout the battalion.
Master Sergeant Berg faithfully participated as a member of the Chairborne Rangers since 1977, was an equal advocate of the United States Army Ranger Association (75th Ranger Regiment), and supporter of the Ranger Memorial Foundation since 1995, and his service to the Ranger community continues in year 2007.
Additionally, Master Sergeant Berg continues to support the Best Ranger Competition and Ranger Rendezvous.
A Condensed Biography of Master Sergeant Gilbert M. Berg
Gilbert M. Berg was born in New York City, New York, United States of America (USA) on Nov 20, 1932. He enlisted in the Regular Army on April 6, 1953 and his first military tour and initial assignment was with the 110th Boat Battalion at Fort Eustis in Virginia, where he served as a Supply Clerk. From there he went overseas with the 52nd Engineer Company in Toul, France, as a Postal Clerk, later switching to Warehouse Distribution.
Following his overseas tour, Gilbert Berg exited the Regular Army, but in 1956, he joined the United States Army Reserve. From 1956 to 1971, he served the 478th Civil Affairs Company in Miami, Florida, as the Field First Sergeant.
In 1973, he became vital to the inception of the Army/Guard Reserve (AGR) program and was assigned as the Veterans Administration Liaison Non-Commissioned Officer (VA LN CO) in Miami, Florida; later reassigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, as a Reserve Recruiter until April 1977.
Master Sergeant Berg resigned from the AGR program and transitioned to Civil Service, where he served as a Field Recruiter for the United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) in Orlando, Florida.
In 1981, Master Sergeant Berg rejoined the AGR and served in United States Army Reserves (USAR) Operations with the Lansing Recruiting Battalion in Lansing, Michigan, until 1983. In the same year, he returned overseas to Kaiserslautern, Germany, and served as an In-Service Recruiter until 1985.
After leaving Germany, Master Sergeant Berg was assigned to the Minneapolis Recruiting Battalion as a Recruiter/Trainer from 1985 to 1989, and then was reassigned to Transition Point, Fort Jackson in South Carolina on July 1, 1994, after concluding a 41-year (plus) military career of RA and USAR service.
Achievements
Basic Training, Harbor Craft Crewman School, Primary Leadership Course, Army Reserve Recruiter Course, Recruiting and Retention School and the Survival Escape Resistance and Evasion (SERE) Course.
Attended Riverside Military Academy, The Citadel, and is a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
In the Civilian Sector: Owner of Wholesale Butter and Egg Company; worked for Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, Director of Military Programs at Westgate Resorts, and Civil Servant for the Orlando Recruiting Battalion as a GS-7.
Recognitions and Awards
- Orlando Recruiting Battalion USAR Recruiter of the Year
- Meritorious Service Medal with Two (2) Oak Leaf Clusters
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with Three (3) Oak Leaf Clusters
- National Defense Service Medal with Two (2) Bronze Stars
- Good Conduct Medal with Three (3) Knots
- Army Achievement Award with Two (2) Oak Leaf Clusters
- Army Reserve Good Conduct Medal with Two (2) Oak Leaf Clusters
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Three (3) Hour Glass
- Overseas Service Ribbon
Awards Received for Foreign Duty
- Two (2) German Shutzenschnur Awards in Gold
- Bronze German Sportsmanship Award
Epilog
The proposed citation for Master Sergeant Gilbert M. Berg to be inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame as an Honorary Member was in recognition of an exemplary 41-year military career, of which 34-years significantly impacted the United States Army Rangers, The Ranger Foundation, and the Ranger Community. Master Sergeant Berg honored and preserved the spirit and contributions of America's most extraordinary Rangers.
Master Sergeant Berg was unofficially assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in 1974, where he spearheaded and served as Opposing Forces Commanding General, leading countless training support missions for the 1/75 Rangers for the next four years, directly contributing to their tactical excellence and combat readiness. Hundreds of Rangers' leadership, character and intestinal fortitude, were challenged and encouraged by Master Sergeant Berg.
While serving on active duty, Master Sergeant Berg became a member of several Ranger organizations, including the Chairborne Rangers, the United States Army Ranger Association, and the 75th Ranger Regiment Association. Master Sergeant Berg is highly recognized in the Ranger community, is an Honorary Life Member of the United States Army Ranger Association and was inducted as an Honorary Life Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment Association.
For more than 12-years, Master Sergeant Gilbert Berg has been a staunch supporter of the Ranger Memorial Foundation, has generously sponsored a team for the annual Best Ranger Competition for more than 5-years, and has made extraordinary contributions to Ranger units, the Ranger Foundation and the Ranger community in general.
Master Sergeant Gilbert M. Berg, (Retired) US Army, lived the Ranger Creed in word and deed.
Therefore, it is... August 8, 2007
Fort Benning Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Installation.
Fort Benning, Georgia, USA
Photo Above: Master Sergeant Gilbert Berg, (Retired), US Army, being interviewed before the Hall of Fame Ceremony for the Ft. Benning, GA newspaper.
United States Army Ranger Association, Inc.
Fort Benning, GA
The Honorary Induction of Gilbet Berg
August 8, 2007
During the presentation of this Honorary Inductee, a large photo of the honored retiree in full dress remained displayed for a thousand spectators to see. Loud applause followed the reading of his biography and approach to the podium for the Honorary Inductee, MSG Gilbert Berg (Retired) US Army, into the Ranger Hall of Fame.
 Honorary Inductee Gilbert Berg receives the Gold Medal from Lieutenant General Kearney.
 A distinguished and proud soldier, though now "retired", continues to support the Troops and our Rangers. Gilbert Berg's emotional comments following the presentation as an Honorary Inductee in the Ranger Hall of Fame were well accepted and very appreciated, once the thundering applause settled to hear his acceptance speech.
Acceptance Speech by Gilbert Berg
 Thank you. If I had to thank everyone here that I know, we would be here until June. I wish to thank you, General Speer for nominating me and the Ranger Hall of Fame Board of Directors for accepting me. I also would like to recognize a few more people: my son Steven, my other son Steven and his wife Phyllis, Sergeant First Class David Cheung, Florida Arrmy National Guard, Lynn Town, (her Dad was a Second Battalion Ranger from World War II), and all the organizations and friends that are here.
Thirty-three years ago, a young Captain walked up to me while I was at Fort Stewart in Georgia and asked me if I would like to work with the Rangers. I said, 'Sir, I belong to the 464th Chemical Group out of Orlando, Florida, and I would need permission from them'. About a week later, Captain Tyrone Tisdale came up to me and said, "We have permission". That is how General Greb came to be. It would become a great three years.
First Field Problem with the 1st Battalion, asked me if I would become an evaluator. I thought; "Sure, how long, about 3-4 days?" I went to my my boss and asked him and he said okay. Then I told my late wife I would be back in three or four days.
Nine days later, I came out of the field, but before that, Colonel Leuer came up to me and said, "I did not think you would make one day; you are one of us now".
 I received a message from General Downing stating congratulations with a message, "Greb, I will try to be there". I know that General Downing, Colonel Tisdale, my mother and father, and my wife, are looking down on me as I receive this great legacy.
About four-hundred years ago, Shakespeare wrote:
"This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me, Shall be my brother..."
We lost a great Ranger a couple of weeks ago, General Wayne A. Downing. He not only was my General, but he was my friend and mentor. Ranger's, honor him and remember him. He was a Ranger's Ranger; never forget him.
And, as my wife used to say to me, when I would go out to the field, "Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight onto the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor."
I am that "Lone Survivor"!
Thank you -
 Editors Note: About a thousand people attended the ceremony to witness fifteen Ranger Inductees and two Honorary Inductees into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Out of 258 Members of the Ranger Hall of Fame, only 13 individuals are "Honorary Members". Gilbert Berg served in the United States Army for 41-years, but was not a Ranger; thus, his Honorary Induction into the Ranger Hall of Fame was indeed a great honor.
Left to Right: Master Sergeant Gilbert Berg, (Retired), US Army, General William "Buck" Kernan, (Retired), US Army, and Major General Ken Leuer, (Retired), US Army, shown above visiting at the Ranger Hall of Fame after Master Sergeant Gilbert Berg, (Retired), US Army, received his Hall of Fame Ranger Medallion. (Photo by Peter Parker)
Rangers Lead the Way!
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