Berg brothers reflect on WWII service, trip to Washington

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Three brothers who served the United States in World War II are reflecting on their days on the front lines, as well as a memorable trip to Washington DC four years ago.

They're just three old guys, Iowa born and bred. The Berg brothers put on a uniform a few years back and fought for their country. Harold Berg was wounded in the battle of Huertgen Forest. Bob Berg was in Cherbourg, France. Tony Berg was in the first wave at Utah Beach.

"We were the first boat to hit the beach in our group and the second boat went just to our right, hit a mine and was almost a total catastrophe for all aboard," Tony Berg recalled.

They can each recount in detail where they were and what they saw. Lucky, they are, to have come out alive.

"There were so few people left, only 13 left out of 250 men in our company after ten days of battle," said Harold Berg.

That was seven decades ago. The boys don't move quite as fast as they did then. Harold is almost 90. Tony is just shy of 97, and Bob is 94. You know who they are thinking of most on Memorial Day? Their Mom and Dad. But mostly Mom, who wrote many letters to her boys when they were in harm's way.

"We estimated more than 600 in five years until we were all back safely home again," Tony Berg said.

"Our mother was a very strong person, very strong, and she was quite a gal," said Bob Berg.

The Berg boys four years ago joined their contemporaries for an Honor Flight Chicago trip to Washington DC to visit the monument to their sacrifice. They will be thinking too of that.

"I felt bad about all the guys who didn't make it home," Harold Berg said. "I still get choked up about that."

"I wish we could get back to where we were in those days when everybody pulled together and enjoyed life instead of all this turmoil we're having today," said Bob Berg.

It is a wish of three brothers who survived the worst kind of turmoil. Strapping young dudes who believe a mother's prayers helped deliver them safely home to live long lives and become "old guys."