Although Jere Beery only served 4 years in the U.S. Navy, he has an impressive military history. Twenty seven months of that service was in the combat waters of Vietnam. His first duty station in 1965 was aboard the USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, (LST-1167) as a Seaman. The WESTCHESTER COUNTY was involved in many operations within the combat waters of South Vietnam and received many awards and accolades for her service. The WESTCHESTER COUNTY was the recipient of 15 Battle Stars for her 19 years of service. LST-1167 was one of only 3 ships of her type to earn 15 Battle Stars (out of over 1200 LSTs built since before WWII).
Beery's second duty station in 1967 was with the legendary PBRs of the Brown Water Navy. As a volunteer, Beery saw combat on a fairly routine basis with this elite group and their high speed patrol craft. On March 1, 1968, Beery's patrol was ambushed by a sizeable force of NVA and Viet Cong. The boat Beery was aboard took two direct RPG hits to her starboard side badly wounding four members of the boat's crew. Seaman Beery was the most severely wounded and not expected to live. The first RPG had exploded right where Beery was standing as he manned his 50 caliber machine gun. To this day, Beery contributes his survival to the live-saving actions of his patrol officer, LT. RICHARD GODBEHERE and his other crew members. Beery spent the next year and a half hospitalized and recovering from his wounds. THE GODBEHERE PATROL
On November 1, 1968, while Jere Beery was recuperating at NAS Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida, USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY was attacked on the My Tho river. At 03:22 in the morning two very large mines were detonated on the ship's starboard side. 25 men were killed, 17 were ship's crew. Several of the men killed that morning were friends and former shipmates of Beery's. This incident has gone down in history as the greatest loss of life by the U.S. Navy in a single attack during the entire Vietnam War. USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY
In mid-1969, Jere Beery was medically retired from the Navy. His service record reflects 1 Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, and 5 military campaigns in Vietnam. Beery was also rated totally and permanently disabled by the Veterans Administration.
Over the years since Vietnam, Jere Beery has attempted to do some things many thought impossible for someone with physical injuries such as his. During the early 80s, Jere Beery, as a member of the Screen Actors Guild pursued a brief career in the motion picture business as an actor. Beery landed a few small parts in a number of movies and television programs. On several occasions, to the amazement of many, Beery even executed his own stunts.
In the 1986, Jere Beery gave up his career in the movies to crusade for his fellow veterans. Since that time, veteran's rights advocate Jere Beery has been a noted driving force in the Veteran's Rights Movement and effort to improve services for our veterans. Beery's efforts have been extremely well documents and many articles have been written about his quest. A few of these articles can be found on this page. You can also type the words "Jere Beery" into any search engine to find out more about Beery's efforts. www.google.com
Jere Beery is not a politician, nor does he have political ambitions. Beery is also not a preacher, nor does he claim to be a profit. According to Jere Beery, he is merely a very grateful American trying to repay the men that saved his life in Vietnam.
Jere Beery's multifaceted story is truly an amazing one. From his survival in Vietnam, to risking additional injury executing stunts in the motion pictures, to fighting to protect the benefits earned by our troops, Jere Beery has forged his own trail and continues to amaze and baffle many.
Place and Date of Birth: Orlando, Fl - 03/13/48
Raised: St. Augustine, Fl
Place & Date Enlistment: Jacksonville, Fl - 05/20/65
Branch of service: U.S. Navy
Highest Rate/Rank: E4/PO3/Signalman Third Class
Duty Stations:
USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, LST-1167
TF116, River Patrol Force, River Section - 511, (PBRs), Binh Thuy, RSVN
Date of Discharge: 5/14/69
Type of Discharge: Honorable, Medically Retired
VA Rating: 100% Totally and Permanently Disabled
Military Awards and Medals:
1 Bronze Star - w/combat ※V§ Citation
3 Purple Hearts - (1/5/68, 2/14/68, 3/1/68)
Vietnam Service Medal - w/1 Silver Star - (5 military campaigns in-country, RSVN)
Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal - w/1960 device
Combat Action Ribbon
Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon
Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon
National Defense Medal
Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation - Gallantry Cross Medal Color, w/Palm
Republic Of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation - Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color, w/Palm
Military Training:
River Patrol Craft Training, Mare Island, CA
Special Weapons Training, Mare Island, CA
J.E.S.T. (Jungle Environmental Survivor Training) 每 Cubi Point, Philippines
S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape Training) 每 Woodby Island, Washington State
Vietnamese Language 每 Mare Island, CA
FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT - By JERE BEERY
Click Here for The Godbehere Patrol video!
After Discharge Schooling:
DeVry Institute of Technology 每 18 months 每 Electronic Technician
West Central Technical College 每 40 hours 每 Web Design
