Governor Earl Ray Tomblin today ordered State flags at all state-owned facilities be lowered from dawn to dusk Tuesday, June 30, 2015, the day of services for Sergeant Kenneth Ronald Berry, with full military honors ceremonies by the Honors Guard of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
“Joanne and I were truly saddened to hear of the death of one of West Virginia’s proud service men,” Tomblin said. “We join all West Virginians as we mourn the loss of Sergeant Berry, and we extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and fellow comrades.”
Berry enlisted in the United States Army in April 2010 and was stationed at Fort Drum in the 630th Clearance Company. In October 2011, Berry served in Afghanistan and returned stateside in October 2012. He attained the rank of Sergeant with the 42nd Clearance Company, 19th Engineer Battalion serving out of Fort Knox, Kentucky. Sergeant Berry died while on active duty June 23, 2015.
Sergeant Berry, through his dedicated service and sacrifice, was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievements Medals, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal-Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Operator.
Sergeant Berry is survived by his father, Okey Berry (Brenda); mother, Candice Berry; wife, Amber Moss Berry; three sons, Aaron, Kenneth “Tanner” and Kyler Berry; sister, Heather Smith; half-sister, Autumn Roberts; three step-brothers, Heath, Keith and Brandon Jeffrey; paternal grandmother, Mildred Lockhart; maternal grandmother, Barbara Roberts; grandparents, Mitchell and Helen Belt; father- and mother-in-law, Berry and Beverly Moss; two sisters-in-law, Amanda Rake (Jeremy) and Jade Moss; and nieces and nephews, Peyton, Michael, Jase, Kaylie, Sydney and Addie; he is preceded in death by two paternal grandfathers, Maurice Berry and Ronald Roberts and great-grandparents.
