George was born on the family farm near Easton, Kansas on August 8, 1934, son of Joseph W. and Lucy Helen Nason Berg. He attended District 82, Easton Grade and High School before attending Leavenworth High School, graduating in 1952. He joined the "Class of 56" at Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science, now Kansas State University. George was in the first class of Wildlife Management, graduating with a BS degree in Agriculture. While in college, he was active in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), selected as a Distinguished Military Student and upon graduation was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Armor awaiting Regular Army appointment.
He attended the Armor Officers Basic Course, Ft. Knox, Kentucky, starting six days after graduation from college. While at Ft. Knox, he received his Regular Army appointment in, the Quartermaster Corps detailed to the Armor Corps for two years. He served as a tank and reconnaissance platoon leader, company executive officer in Korea and as a tank company commander, Ft. Riley, Kansas. Upon completion of his Armor detail, he entered the Quartermaster Corps, serving as a commander, instructor and staff officer in the United States, Okinawa, Thailand, Vietnam, and Germany. His major command positions were as Commander, 99th Combat Service Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, Ninth Infantry Division, Vietnam for 10 months in combat as a Major (promotable) and as Commander, 43rd Corps Support Group, Fort Carson, Colorado for 30 months.
In addition to his varied duty assignments, George attended numerous service schools to include the Quartermaster Career Course (recipient of the General Hastings Award for academic excellence), Army Language School (German), Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Security Management Course (correspondence), Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. While teaching military science at the University of Rhode Island, he completed the requirements for and received a Master of Science Degree in Business Management. While attending the War College he took post-graduate courses in Management offered by the University of Pennsylvania.
George's decorations and commendations include: the Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC’s) - 3 awards, Bronze Star Medal with 2 OLC’s, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with OLC, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit citation -2 awards, Vietnam Campaign Medal with seven Battle Stars, The Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with two Palms, the RVN Civil Action Unit Honor Medal, RVN individual Gallantry Cross with two Palms, RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class) , and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal.
Following his retirement from the Army in January of 1984 after 27 years of active service, George joined United Services Life Companies (USLICO) as a field representative and later as the regional manager for a five state area. He was the recipient of numerous awards for sales of insurance and security products. Retiring from USLICO in 1996, he began his own property management business. He was an active member of Rotary Club of Leavenworth; Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; National, state and local Associations of Financial Planning and Life Underwriting. He was past Chairman and member of the Advisory Council to the Salvation Army of Leavenworth County since 1989.
He was a member of Sacred Heart-Saint Casimir Parish of the Catholic Church. While in service, serving as president of the Okinawa Holy Name Society, serving as a Lay Military Assistant to the Bishop of Okinawa, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Parish Council and Finance Committee member and usher, were but a few his church activities.
George married Deanna Barnes in the Cathedral of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. They had six children, and as parents were active in their children’s education, their schools, their participation in athletics and especially in Girl and Boy Scouts. He held many positions in scouting, to include Cub Master, Assistant and Scout Master, committee member and chairman for many years. While at Fort Carson, Colorado he was institutional representative for all scouting on the post. He was instrumental in rebuilding the scout camp, meeting places and the scout hotel. He believed school activities, scouting and religious organizations were of great assistance in the development of young people. He also believed and voiced frequently to his soldiers and scouts "It’s a great day to serve God and Country in that order".
George is survived by his wife, Deanna of the home with daughter Chloë, his daughter Elizabeth K. Wood, her husband John and two granddaughters, Elaine and Laura of Northern Virginia; daughter Margaret A. Berg and husband Oleg of Denver, Colorado; sons, Joseph W. Berg II and John A. Berg and their wives Saundra and Trish respectively of Leavenworth; son, Matthew W. Berg, his wife Pamela and one granddaughter, Emma, of Oro Valley, Arizona. Also surviving are his sisters Robena I. Asbury, and L. May Thomas and her husband, James all of Leavenworth.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Zachariah H., who was killed in action in WW2, and Ernest F. (Bud) who died as a result of a skiing accident.
George will be remembered by his many friends and family as a fine husband, father, devoted Christian and one who loved his country, his military and his civilian endeavors and his fellow man. He was gregarious, fun loving, a skiing enthusiast, enjoyed working on his properties and helping others.
The Mass of Resurrection, a Glorious Celebration, will be at 9:30 A.M. Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with the Rev. Burger as the celebrant. Burial will be with military honors at the Easton Community Cemetery. There will be a reception after the Easton interment at the Sacred Heart Activities Center. All friends and relatives are invited.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, The Salvation Army, or the Kansas State University Foundation.
Condolences may be left on George's online guestbook at
http://www.davisfuneralchapelinc.com/fh/obituaries/tributes.cfm?o_id=4092155&fh_id=14115
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