Charles Berry: The Lorain Marine Behind Lake Erie's Giant Bascule Bridge
If you have driven across the Charles Berry Bridge in Lorain, you have crossed 1,052 feet of steel and concrete that opens roughly 700 times a year to let ships through the Black River. It was the largest bascule bridge in the world when it opened in 1940. It is now the second largest. It carries four lanes of US Route 6 and connects the east and west sides of the city.
But this is not really a story about a bridge. It is a story about the kid from Lorain whose name is on it.
Charles Joseph Berry
The Medal of Honor Citation
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of a machine-gun crew, serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 3 March 1945. Stationed in the front lines, Cpl. Berry manned his weapon with alert readiness as he maintained a constant vigil with other members of his guncrew during the hazardous night hours. When infiltrating Japanese soldiers launched a surprise attack shortly after midnight in an attempt to overrun his position, he engaged in a pitched hand-grenade duel, returning the dangerous weapons with prompt and deadly accuracy until an enemy grenade landed in the foxhole. Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and immediately dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. By his dauntless courage, unfaltering fighting spirit, and valiant devotion to duty, Cpl. Berry reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
He was 21 years old.
After the War
Berry was initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima. In 1948, his remains were returned to Lorain and re-interred at Elmwood Cemetery, where he rests today.
The Navy named a destroyer escort in his honor: the USS Charles Berry (DE-1035). Lorain named its bridge. Lorain is one of the few cities in the country with two bridges named after local Medal of Honor or Navy Cross recipients. The other is the Lofton Henderson Memorial Bridge on 21st Street, named after Major Lofton Henderson, a Marine aviator from Lorain killed at the Battle of Midway.
The Bridge Today
The Berry Bridge still opens about 700 times a year, roughly twice a day. When it goes up, traffic stops. When it stays up, the city splits in half and everyone takes the Henderson Bridge on 21st Street.
The best views are from Black River Landing on the west bank, from the Lorain Lighthouse pier, or from the river itself on a boat. When it opens for a freighter, it is worth stopping to watch. There is nothing quite like seeing 333 feet of road lift into the sky while an ore boat slides underneath.
Next time you are sitting in traffic waiting for it to come back down, remember who it is named after and why.
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Sources: Lorain County Engineer's Office (loraincountyohio.gov); National WWII Museum; Congressional Medal of Honor Society; U.S. Marine Corps History Division; Naval History and Heritage Command; HistoricBridges.org; Structurae.
