TWINS SEPARATED BY WAR
FRANK BOWDEN herald@mediactr.com
Jack and Leonard Berry were twins. Jack was tall and strong, Leonard, quick and agile.

There were other siblings, but Jack and Leonard did most everything together; including playing baseball for a country team called the "Sardis Cats." The team became well known in East Texas. In fact, a couple of the guys went to the major leagues. After graduating from Rusk High School in May 1944, the twins turned 18 on Sept. 28. In October, they received a draft notice and were assigned to the 98th Infantry Division, U. S. Army.

The first stop was Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, then Ft. Mead in Maryland, Ft. Lewis in Washington and finally, Scoffield Barracks in Hawaii, to begin amphibious training for the invasion of Japan.

By the time the Berry brothers reached Japan, the "bombs" had been dropped and the unconditional surrender signed. Up to this time, it was customary to allow family members to serve side by side.

This changed as a result of the five Sullivan brothers dying, when their light cruiser, Juneau, was sunk in November 1942. Eventually Congress passed the Sullivan Act, which prohibited family members from serving in the same unit or on the same ship. So, the boys were separated, with Leonard going to a medical company in Osaka and Jack to the MPs in Kyoto.

Cpl. Jack Leon Berry, Cpl. Leonard Mix Berry

The Allied occupation of Japan was one of history's most significant events and perhaps, MacArthur's crowning achievement. It is the only time an occupying force tried to democratize another nation by instituting sweeping political, social and economic reforms. The Japanese political leadership only acceded to the imposition of this radical agenda of democratization because they had almost no power to stop it.

Although called an Allied Occupation, the Americans completely dominated the leadership and decision making. Moreover, General Douglas MacArthur, as Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP), could issue directives, both formally and informally, that had to be obeyed by the Japanese leaders and populace. His respect for the Oriental people stemmed from his childhood years in the Philippines, where his father was governor.

The new constitution retained the imperial system but simultaneously established the principle of popular sovereignty and guaranteed a broad range of human rights.

A principal reason for the Allied Occupation's success in demilitarizing Japan can be attributed to the continuity of certain practices. The decision to retain Emperor Hirohito as the symbolic head of the state provided political continuity and stability, even though the new constitution effectively stripped him of any real power. The Diet (Japanese Legislature) continued to function throughout the occupation, although the new constitution changed its structure to make members of both houses subject to popular election. The prewar and wartime bureaucratic structure also continued to operate, and SCAP worked through the bureaucracy in the implementation of most of its reforms, with the U. S. authorities making clear that "the better part of political wisdom was silence and conformism."

Although some prewar practices continued during the occupation, SCAP also implemented many changes that were radically different. For example, Article 9 of the new constitution provided that "the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right" and stated that "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained."

Japan became the only major economic power in the world to ever renounce the right to wage war. The police forces, previously under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, became the responsibility of local governments. Women were guaranteed equal rights with men. Women were provided the right to vote. The structure and curriculum of the educational system were revised to be more in line with the American model. Land reform was instituted to drastically increase the number of independentlyowned farms.

With the defrocked monarchy in place, this was all done in seven years. Europe's changes were finally accomplished in 12 years. (Dower, John W. "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of WW II," New York, W.W. Norton, 1999) Many non-combat military personnel have difficulty putting a finger on their contribution to the war. In truth, this magnificent job could not have succeeded without the occupying forces.

Asked his impression, Jack Berry responded, "The Japanese were kind and good people. They had plenty of Yen, but nothing to buy. They were whipped and starving to death. Some commodities were really valuable, cigarettes, among them."

For a short time, Leonard was a mail clerk. When families sent a carton of cigarettes to someone, who had shipped out, Leonard slipped them into his satchel and went to town. The company commander finally said, "Hey! Boy! You're sending home more money than you're makin'!'"

Jack received orders to ship out to the U.S. After a couple of days at sea, he looked up to see Leonard on board. The brothers were together again. The Berry boys finally got home in 1947.

Leonard "stole home" Aug. 21 and left a daughter, Julie Beth of Dallas.

Jack and Naomi celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this year and have two children, Danny and Kathie. All live in the Sardis Community near Rusk. Leonard was and Jack is a member of the VFW Post 3406 in Rusk.