Lt Witcher Terrell Berger
"Witcher's death devastated his family. The love they all had for him and the pain of losing him still survives to this day"
-Roanna Erin Camden Cann, author
Birth: Nov 14, 1919
Bethlehem, Northampton, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: Jun. 6, 1944
Gilingham, Kent, England
25 years old
Burial:
Berger Cemetery
Greenfield (Pittsylvania County)
Pittsylvania County
Virginia, USA
Witcher Terrell Berger was born on November 14, 1919 in Bethlehem, Northampton, Pennsylvania, USA to Henry Casper Berger, Sr. (b. September 19, 1864 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA) and Lucile Spotswood Terrell (b. June 2, 1882 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA). Henry was the son of Henry Clay Berger and Nancy Jane Smith. Lucile was the daughter of Cornelius Fellows Terrell and Lucy Frances Burwell.
Witcher’s paternal grandmother, Nancy Jane Smith, was the granddaughter of Vincent Witcher, for whom Witcher was named. Vincent Witcher was a grandson of Captain William Witcher, Sr., a Revolutionary War veteran. Vincent was a representative for the Senate and House of Delegates for many years for Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He served in the lower house during 1823-39, and also 1843-44. He served in the Senate during the years 1845-50. He then returned to the House of Delegates, where he served from 1850-57.
Witcher’s paternal grandfather, Henry Clay Berger, served in the Confederate Army and the Virginia State Legislature. He was the son of Captain Samuel Berger and Hester Ann Roe Berger. Samuel Casper Berger served in the War of 1812. Samuel and Hester were first cousins. Their grandfather, Jacob Berger emigrated from Germany in 1754 with his father and sister and later served as Chief Wagoner under General George Washington during the American Revolution.
Bethlehem, Northampton, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: Jun. 6, 1944
Gilingham, Kent, England
25 years old
Burial:
Berger Cemetery
Greenfield (Pittsylvania County)
Pittsylvania County
Virginia, USA
Witcher Terrell Berger was born on November 14, 1919 in Bethlehem, Northampton, Pennsylvania, USA to Henry Casper Berger, Sr. (b. September 19, 1864 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA) and Lucile Spotswood Terrell (b. June 2, 1882 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA). Henry was the son of Henry Clay Berger and Nancy Jane Smith. Lucile was the daughter of Cornelius Fellows Terrell and Lucy Frances Burwell.
Witcher’s paternal grandmother, Nancy Jane Smith, was the granddaughter of Vincent Witcher, for whom Witcher was named. Vincent Witcher was a grandson of Captain William Witcher, Sr., a Revolutionary War veteran. Vincent was a representative for the Senate and House of Delegates for many years for Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He served in the lower house during 1823-39, and also 1843-44. He served in the Senate during the years 1845-50. He then returned to the House of Delegates, where he served from 1850-57.
Witcher’s paternal grandfather, Henry Clay Berger, served in the Confederate Army and the Virginia State Legislature. He was the son of Captain Samuel Berger and Hester Ann Roe Berger. Samuel Casper Berger served in the War of 1812. Samuel and Hester were first cousins. Their grandfather, Jacob Berger emigrated from Germany in 1754 with his father and sister and later served as Chief Wagoner under General George Washington during the American Revolution.
Witcher’s paternal great great great grandfather, Jacob Berger, emigrated from Germany with his father and sister in 1754. His grave is located at the Berger Family Cemetery, Toshes, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA
Witcher’s paternal grandfather
Henry Clay Berger
Witcher’s paternal grandmother, Nancy Jane Smith Berger, died on June 8, 1873 leaving Henry Clay Berger with four young children to raise. On April 4, 1876, he married Nannie Bettie Pullen, daughter of John and Christiana (Wright) Pullen.
To the right is Witcher's mother Lucile Spotwood Terrell, daughter of Cornelius Fellows Terrell and Lucy Frances Burwell
Witcher was the youngest of three sons. His brothers were Henry Casper, Jr., (b. September 19, 1864, d. March 12, 1991) and Armistead Burwell Berger (b. January 13, 1918, d. March 20, 2000). Witcher’s mother died on January 27, 1921. Left alone with three small children, Henry called upon his single half-sister, Janie Berger, to come live with him and help him raise his sons in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Janie Berger was 26 years old, the assistant supervisor of the Pittsylvania County school system and being courted by a very fine young man. She decided that the most important thing was the welfare of Henry, Armistead and Witcher. She put her life on hold and gave her full time to caring for her nephews. It was not until June 1, 1934, when Witcher was 15 years old, that Janie, at the age of 29, resumed her life and married Paul Oakford Hedrick.
Below on the left is Witcher's brothers Henry Casper Berger Jr and Armistead Burwell Berger. To the right is also Henry Casper Berger, Witcher's brother.
Witcher was the youngest of three sons. His brothers were Henry Casper, Jr., (b. September 19, 1864, d. March 12, 1991) and Armistead Burwell Berger (b. January 13, 1918, d. March 20, 2000). Witcher’s mother died on January 27, 1921. Left alone with three small children, Henry called upon his single half-sister, Janie Berger, to come live with him and help him raise his sons in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Janie Berger was 26 years old, the assistant supervisor of the Pittsylvania County school system and being courted by a very fine young man. She decided that the most important thing was the welfare of Henry, Armistead and Witcher. She put her life on hold and gave her full time to caring for her nephews. It was not until June 1, 1934, when Witcher was 15 years old, that Janie, at the age of 29, resumed her life and married Paul Oakford Hedrick.
Below on the left is Witcher's brothers Henry Casper Berger Jr and Armistead Burwell Berger. To the right is also Henry Casper Berger, Witcher's brother.
Janie Berger Hedrick
Daughter of Henry Clay Berger and Nannie Bettie Pullen Berger
At this juncture in time (as posted in the Danville Bee on July 28, 1934), Witcher went to live with his step-grandmother, Nannie Bettie Pullen Berger, at the family farm known as Greenfield, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Witcher was raised in the bosom of his multi-generational Berger family, surrounded with aunts, uncles and cousins who all adored him. He was a special favorite of his Aunt Tenie (Christiana Hester Berger Britton), half-sister to his father, who loved him like a son. On October 3, 1938, Witcher’s father was struck down by a truck in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He later died from his injuries on February 8, 1939. His father was the owner of Berger Shoe Store in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Witcher’s High School Graduation
at the Henry Clay Berger Farm at Greenfield
Standing left to right: Effie Reynolds Berger, Christiana Hester Berger Britton (Aunt Tenie), Sally Berger Tosh, Pomp Lee Berger, John Daniel Berger, Jacob W. Berger, Leona Pearl Elmore Berger, David Joseph Berger, Witcher Terrell Berger, Jacob Reynolds Berger; Seated: Bertha Olive Hardaway Berger, Virginia Louise Wooding Berger (Aunt Lulu), Nannie Bettie Pullen Berger, Minnie Grubb Berger, Nancy Swanson Berger and Elva Pullen Berger
Shortly after graduation, Witcher enlisted in the Army Air Force and began his pilot training. Following are a few family documents and photos that place Witcher's location from time to time.
Dear Joe & Pearl, Witcher came yesterday. All of us are so glad to see him. Mr. Rogers took supper with us last night. Both children were as nice as could be. I served cakes cooked in the muffin pans. I just put the ingredients in the bowl and Betty Joe did all the stirring and put them in the pans. She was surely happy. I thought that she would get tired before she finished but she didn't. The cakes were fine. Pearl, I'm so glad that you & baby are getting on so well. Love Tenie |
Note from Aunt Tenie to her brother David Joseph Berger in which she references Betty Joe (b. February 1939) and Hester Ann Roe (b. 23 August 1940) and a new baby (Robert David Berger - b. 1 July 1942) so the date which is partly missing from the original was likely July 9, 1942.
First Cousins Nancy Swanson Berger and Witcher Terrell Berger at the home of Nancy's parents, Jacob Berger and Effie Mildred Reynolds Berger (Uncle Jake and Aunt Effie) Nancy remembers Witcher telling her she had "kissable lips"
At the writing of this memorial, the Author is still researching Witcher's military enlistment, training and tours of duty that preceded the events of June 6, 1944. There is an accident report from Moody Field in Georgia, dated May 1943 that reads: Stateside Accident Report: 430518 AT-9A 42-56930 462 TEFTS Moody Field, GA LAC 3 ( LAC 3 Landing Accident 3) Berger, Witcher T USA GA Moody Field, GA” that would place Witcher in Georgia in 1943. These are the events that led Witcher up to D-Day. Normally a pilot pulled a tour of 25 missions and was sent home. However, when Witcher's first tour ended, he volunteered for an additional 25 missions. He completed that tour in late May 1944, but before going home he decided to take a two-week vacation in Scotland.
May 1, 1944 (stamped date is May 2) Dear Betty Joe, I hope you will excuse me for not writing sooner. England is a very pretty country at this time of the year. Almost every house has a flower garden and they are blooming now. There seem to be more tulips than any other kind. The little girls over (here) that are in the first and second grades learn knitting and sewing at school. Give my love to Hester Ann and Robert David. Good by for now, Witcher P. S. Please note the new APO numbers. |
May 15, 1944 - Dear Uncle Joe & all, I was glad to receive your letter. I get a kick out of V-mail. I don't know why. Do you like Independence as well as Galax? I liked the place you were living at in Galax. I was sorry that I didn't get to see Floyd. I wonder where he is now. Johnny was in Richmond just the same as ever. While in Richmond I thought Aunt Janie and Paul looked better than I had seen them in quite a while. England is a cold country, but it is warming up a bit now. It is also a very scenic country with very little erosion. Ask Betty Joe if this letter will do for her too or will I have to write another one to her. Love to all, Witcher |
1st Lt. Witcher Terrell Berger
9th Airforce, 587th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bomber Group
Returning to London during the first week of June, Witcher learned that something big was going to happen. As an experienced pilot of the B-26 Marauder, he felt that he was needed. He volunteered to stay for the big push, which we know as D-Day. According to the accident reports, at approximately 5 o'clock in the morning of June 6th 1944, Witcher was flying hi B-26 under the clouds, preparing to fly a mission over France. There were hundreds of planes in the air, all flying at different altitudes because of the heavy cloud cover. One of the planes came down suddenly out of the clouds and colliderd with Witcher's plane. There is evidence that Witcher's crew managed to eject some or all of their bombs before crashing into a neighborhood on Corporation Road in Gillingham, England. Witcher, his crew and four civilians on the ground were killed that morning. An eyewitness to the aftermath recalls seeing the pilot still strapped into the cockpit. The other plane crashed into a nearby orchard, killing the entire crew.
Witcher was originally buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. Some years later, after the war ended, his remains were returned to the Berger Family. A funeral was held at Greenfield Baptist Church, Rev. George Lynch officiating. He was buried in the Berger Family Cemetery on the family farm at Greenfield.
.
Witcher was originally buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. Some years later, after the war ended, his remains were returned to the Berger Family. A funeral was held at Greenfield Baptist Church, Rev. George Lynch officiating. He was buried in the Berger Family Cemetery on the family farm at Greenfield.
.
Greenfield Baptist Church, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA
Witcher is buried in the Berger Family Cemetery in Greenfield Pittsylvania County
Virginia, USA
-note: the marker is in erroras it should read 587th not 578th
Witcher's grave is to the far right in the cemetery
third photo is of the Henry Clay Berger Farm
To the left: 1965 Roanna Erin Camden, age 5, daughter of Betty Joe Berger, on a Sunday Cemetery walk with the family.
In a recent note from one of Witcher's first cousins, Lucille Price Berger, she writes:
“Dear Roanna,I have gotten together some pictures and thoughts on Witcher. I loved Witcher and thought of him almost like a big brother...Your grandfather and grandmother were two of the finest people I've ever known and I feel that they had a very positive influence on my life.
Love,
Your cousin,
Lucille Berger Tulloh”
Witcher's death devasted his family. The love they all had for him and the pain of losing him still survives to this day, though many of those who knew him personally have passed on to join him in Glory. The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of his brothers, aunts, uncles and many cousins were introduced to Witcher over and over again on the many walks through the family cemetery. A five year old girl once asked her six year old brother about their cousin Witcher in 1965, "Where do his feet go?", because Witcher's marker was so close to the iron cemetery fence. It is amazing how the emotions of prior generations can still live in the descendants. Perhaps it is because those emotions were shared so often and so intensely. Witcher died sixteen years before I, Roanna Erin Camden Cann was born and I still "remember" Witcher with the same pride and tears as those who knew him in person.
In a recent note from one of Witcher's first cousins, Lucille Price Berger, she writes:
“Dear Roanna,I have gotten together some pictures and thoughts on Witcher. I loved Witcher and thought of him almost like a big brother...Your grandfather and grandmother were two of the finest people I've ever known and I feel that they had a very positive influence on my life.
Love,
Your cousin,
Lucille Berger Tulloh”
Witcher's death devasted his family. The love they all had for him and the pain of losing him still survives to this day, though many of those who knew him personally have passed on to join him in Glory. The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of his brothers, aunts, uncles and many cousins were introduced to Witcher over and over again on the many walks through the family cemetery. A five year old girl once asked her six year old brother about their cousin Witcher in 1965, "Where do his feet go?", because Witcher's marker was so close to the iron cemetery fence. It is amazing how the emotions of prior generations can still live in the descendants. Perhaps it is because those emotions were shared so often and so intensely. Witcher died sixteen years before I, Roanna Erin Camden Cann was born and I still "remember" Witcher with the same pride and tears as those who knew him in person.
Photo's and information courtesy of the Berger families
Memorial written by Roanna Erin Camden Cann