2014 Veteran Honorees: Ralph Berger, Dyer Bird

Ralph Berger was one of the two Voices from the Stone Honorees in 2014. Ralph was born on July 3rd, 1898 to John and Lucy Berger of Marysville. Ralph was the second oldest of eight children. When he was sixteen, Ralph enlisted in the 4th Ohio Infantry and was assigned to Company E. Prior to World War I, Ralph fought in the Mexican Border War. In 1917, the Regiment was re-christened the 166th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division and was sent to France. By early 1918 the Regiment was in the trenches. On June 2nd, 1918, Ralph was sent on a night patrol. The patrol encountered a German force, and during the ensuing engagement, Ralph was wounded. Ralph’s comrades temporarily left him in a shell hole for protection, but after the engagement was over, Ralph had vanished. Even after the area was searched, Ralph was not found. He was presumed dead. At the time of his disappearance, Ralph was only nineteen. His remains were never found. Ralph’s name is listed on the “Tablet of the Missing” at the Saint Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiacourt, France.

Dyer Bird was the other Voices from the Stone Honoree in 2014. Dyer was born on January 5th, 1900 to Edwin and Mary Bird of Taylor Township. Unfortunately, Dyer’s mother died from Typhoid Fever before he was even a year old. Dyer would grow up on his grandparent’s farm, moving to Marion after the death of his grandfather. On July 15th, 1917, Dyer enlisted in Company D, 4th Ohio Infantry. Shortly thereafter, the Regiment was renamed the 166th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division and sent to France. By early 1918, the Regiment was in the trenches. The 1st Battalion, of which Company D was a part, was the first battalion to man the trenches from the 166th. On March 2nd, during a transition between the 1st and 3rd Battalions, Dyer spotted a German raiding party. After throwing two grenades, Dyer attempted to warn his comrades, but was struck by a fatal blow to the head. Dyer had just turned eighteen. Dyer Bird was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre, the highest French award for valor at that time, for his actions that deadly night. His funeral was attended by the Division Commander, then Colonel Douglas MacArthur, and many high-ranking French officers. Although he was originally buried near Domjevin, France, Dyer’s body was exhumed and re-buried at the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery at Romagne, France.