Background
Berry, Kearie Lee was born on July 6, 1893 in Denton, Texas, United States. Son of Thomas Eugene and Viola Eugenia (Riley) Berry.
Berry, Kearie Lee was born on July 6, 1893 in Denton, Texas, United States. Son of Thomas Eugene and Viola Eugenia (Riley) Berry.
Student of University Texas, 1912-1916, 24-25.
Attended First Officers’ Training Camp, Leon Springs, Texas. Second in command Lieutenant, infantry section, O.R.C., August 15, 1917, and advanced through the grades to brigadier general (temporary) January 18, 1946. Joined 2d Texas Infantry, May 17, 1916, spent 10 months on Mexican Border.
Joined 21st infantry, Balboa Park, San Diego, August 1917.
Served with 27th infantry at Verknie-Udinsk, Vladivostok, Siberia, 1919-1920, then in Manila and Hawaii. Service in various United States camps as commander and athletic officer, 1921-1933.
Machine gun company commander, athletic and recreation officer, 15th infantry, China 1933-1936. Service instructor and camp commander United States camps, 1936-1941.
Senior instructor 1st Philippine Constabulary Regiment, acting quartermaster and ordnance officer, South Luzon Force, November-December 1941.
Field command all 1st Philippine division engaged with the enemy, January-February 1942. Commanded 1st Philippine division until surrender of Bataan, April 9, 1942. Prisoner of war of Japanese in prison camps, Luzon, Formosa, Kyushu and Manchuria, April 1942-August 20, 1945.
Attended orientation courses for former prisoners of war at The Infantry School, Field Artillery School, Coast Artillery School, Cavalry School, Armored School, March-June 1946.
Executive officer Texas Military District, Austin, Texas, 1946-1947. Adjutant general of Texas, 1947-1961.
Major general Texas National Guard, 1947. Retired from regular Army as brigadier general, 1947.
Appointed Lieutenant general Texas National Guard, 1961.
Texas state chairman Ministry Of Defense, 1955-1957.
Member Texas Heritage Foundation, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Delta Psi. Member Christian Church. Mason (Shriner, Jester).
Clubs: Headliners, Wainwrights Travellers.
Married Alice Celeste Fleming, May 7, 1917. Children: Kearie Lee, Viola Celeste (Mistress William Robison Reilly, IV), Thomas Eugene.