About: Jere Beery

Email : jerebeery@aol.com
Website : http://www.jerebeery.com

Although Jere Beery only served 4 years in the U.S. Navy, he has an impressive military history. Twenty seven months of that service was in the combat waters of Vietnam. His first duty station in 1965 was aboard the USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, (LST-1167) as a Seaman. The WESTCHESTER COUNTY was involved in many operations within the combat waters of South Vietnam and received many awards and accolades for her service. The WESTCHESTER COUNTY was the recipient of 15 Battle Stars for her 19 years of service. LST-1167 was one of only 3 ships of her type to earn 15 Battle Stars (out of over 1200 LSTs built since before WWII). Beery's second duty station in 1967 was with the legendary PBRs of the Brown Water Navy. As a volunteer, Beery saw combat on a fairly routine basis with this elite group and their high speed patrol craft. On March 1, 1968, Beery's patrol was ambushed by a sizeable force of NVA and Viet Cong. The boat Beery was aboard took two direct RPG hits to her starboard side badly wounding four members of the boat's crew. Seaman Beery was the most severely wounded and not expected to live. The first RPG had exploded right where Beery was standing as he manned his 50 caliber machine gun. To this day, Beery contributes his survival to the live-saving actions of his patrol officer, LT. RICHARD GODBEHERE and his other crew members. Beery spent the next year and a half hospitalized and recovering from his wounds. THE GODBEHERE PATROL On November 1, 1968, while Jere Beery was recuperating at NAS Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida, USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY was attacked on the My Tho river. At 03:22 in the morning two very large mines were detonated on the ship's starboard side. 25 men were killed, 17 were ship's crew. Several of the men killed that morning were friends and former shipmates of Beery's. This incident has gone down in history as the greatest loss of life by the U.S. Navy in a single attack during the entire Vietnam War. USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY In mid-1969, Jere Beery was medically retired from the Navy. His service record reflects 1 Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, and 5 military campaigns in Vietnam. Beery was also rated totally and permanently disabled by the Veterans Administration. Over the years since Vietnam, Jere Beery has attempted to do some things many thought impossible for someone with physical injuries such as his. During the early 80s, Jere Beery, as a member of the Screen Actors Guild pursued a brief career in the motion picture business as an actor. Beery landed a few small parts in a number of movies and television programs. On several occasions, to the amazement of many, Beery even executed his own stunts. In the 1986, Jere Beery gave up his career in the movies to crusade for his fellow veterans. Since that time, veteran's rights advocate Jere Beery has been a noted driving force in the Veteran's Rights Movement and effort to improve services for our veterans. Beery's efforts have been extremely well documents and many articles have been written about his quest. A few of these articles can be found on this page. You can also type the words "Jere Beery" into any search engine to find out more about Beery's efforts. www.google.com Jere Beery's multifaceted story is truly an amazing one. From his survival in Vietnam, to risking additional injury executing stunts in the motion pictures, to fighting to protect the benefits earned by our troops, Jere Beery has forged his own trail and continues to amaze and baffle many. Place and Date of Birth: Orlando, Fl - 03/13/48 Raised: St. Augustine, Fl Place & Date Enlistment: Jacksonville, Fl - 05/20/65 Branch of service: U.S. Navy Highest Rate/Rank: E4/PO3/Signalman Third Class Duty Stations: USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, LST-1167 TF116, River Patrol Force, River Section - 511, (PBRs), Binh Thuy, RSVN Date of Discharge: 5/14/69 Type of Discharge: Honorable, Medically Retired VA Rating: 100% Totally and Permanently Disabled WARNING! > GRAPHIC MEDICAL PHOTO Military Awards and Medals: 1 Bronze Star - w/combat “V” Citation 3 Purple Hearts - (1/5/68, 2/14/68, 3/1/68) Vietnam Service Medal - w/1 Silver Star - (5 military campaigns in-country, RSVN) Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal - w/1960 device Combat Action Ribbon Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon National Defense Medal Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation - Gallantry Cross Medal Color, w/Palm Republic Of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation - Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color, w/Palm Military Training: River Patrol Craft Training, Mare Island, CA Special Weapons Training, Mare Island, CA J.E.S.T. (Jungle Environmental Survivor Training) – Cubi Point, Philippines S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape Training) – Woodby Island, Washington State Vietnamese Language – Mare Island, CA

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OFFE Accuses Supreme Court Overstepping Authority

Shareby Jere Beery
When most people think of the Supreme Court they think of the highest legal court in the land with absolute supremacy over all things legal. They envision a federal court consisting of 9 appointed judges assigned with hearing and ruling on issues that have failed to be resolved at the lower court level. [...]

Operation Firing For Effect Scores Direct Hit in Iowa!

Shareby Jere Beery
Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) is currently engaged in the battle to enforce federal protection of veteran’s disability benefits in civil courts. Over the past 6 years OFFE has been the standard barer in efforts to enforce USC, TITLE 38, 5301.
OFFE has been a leader in the grassroots movement to protect veteran’s [...]

Combat Disabled Veteran Has No Constitutional Rights

Shareby Jere Beery  
Sergeant Major Paul Cousins, from Stockbridge, Georgia, served for 27 years in the United States Army. He was awarded 3 Purple Hearts for wounds received in combat during the 2 tours he served in Vietnam.
Paul Cousins is a highly decorated combat disabled veteran with a distinguished military service record who has shed [...]

Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) Butts Heads With Iowa Law Maker

Shareby Jere Beery, Staff Writer
Ray Zirkelbach (D) is Iowa State Representative for District 31. He is also the one person standing in the way of passing legislation which would enhance the federal protection of veteran’s disability compensation from third party awards.
The controversy stems from HF 170, which was introduced in the Iowa General Assembly [...]

Operation Firing For Effect Delegation Meets with White House Staff

Shareby Jere Beery, Staff Writer
On Friday of last week a delegation from Operation Firing For Effect met with Mr. Brian K. Bond, Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Liaison, and Mr. Matt Flavin, Veterans/Military Family Liaison for the White House. Both Bond and Flavin are members of President Obama’s White House Staff. 
The purpose [...]

Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) Delegation Converges on Capitol Hill

Shareby Jere Beery, Staff Writer
Last Wednesday, nineteen members of Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) began a three day quest to visit all 535 Congressional offices in Washington, DC. Each OFFE volunteer carried a cover letter from Operation Firing For Effect and a resolution for full mandatory funding of veteran’s healthcare – which was signed by [...]

Iowa Legislature Unanimously Passes Bill to Protect Veterans’ Disability Compensation from Attachment

Shareby Jere Beery
Today Iowa State Legislators unanimously approved a Bill that will enhance Federal statutes designed to protect veterans’ disability compensation from attachment in divorce settlements.
Veterans’ service-connected disability compensation is intended to financially compensate a military veteran disabled in the line of duty. This compensation is not an asset, or property, and should not [...]

Iowa Legislature Introduces Bill to Enhance Protection of Veterans’ Disability Compensation in Divorce Courts

Shareby Jere Beery
Jerry Bohr of Ossian, Iowa is Operation Firing For Effect Director of Operations for the state of Iowa. Bohr is also employed as a service officer for the Iowa State Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, Jerry Bohr is a member of the 5301 Club, a grassroots group devoted to the protection of [...]

OFFE Issues Warning to Returning Troops of Ambush

ShareOFFE Issues Warning to Returning Troops of Ambush
by Jere Beery, OFFE National Public Relations Director
Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) is a veteran’s advocacy group devoted to the improvement and protection of benefits and entitlements earned by our men and women in uniform. According to OFFE National Chairman Gene Simes military personnel returning home from [...]

VETNET: A Revolutionary Concept for Servicing Our Veterans

ShareDeveloped by Operation Firing For Effect, The Veterans Advocacy Group
by Gene Simes, Director OFFE 
In 1991, Vietnam combat veteran, Mr. Jere Beery submitted an early version of the VETNET concept to then Georgia Congressman, Newt Gingrich, who in turn, forwarded Mr. Beery’s concept paper to Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Derwinski for [...]

DVA Secretary Peake to Review VETNET Concept

ShareDVA Secretary Peake to Review VETNET Concept
by Jere Beery
Yesterday, during a visit and press conference held at Canandaigua VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, New York, Operation Firing For Effect National Chairman, Gene Simes presented DVA Secretary James Peake with a detailed proposal package on a revolutionary concept called VETNET.
Secretary Peake was in Canandaigua [...]

Largest Loss of Life by U.S. Navy During Vietnam War

Shareby Jere Beery 
Halloween means different things to different people. For me, Halloween is the eve of the date when I lost friends of mine in a little known historic sneak attack in Vietnam. Please take a moment to remember these brave Americans with me. 
U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY: LST-1167
As the result of enemy action, on November [...]

Lynyrd and Me: A U.S. Veterans Retrospective

ShareLynyrd and Me
Retrospective: A Lynyrd Skynyrd Story by a Vietnam Veteran
By Jere Beery, U.S. Veteran
The main reason I’m sharing this story now is because I just turned 60 years old in March and I have been reflecting on my life. This story relates a very unique relationship I had with one of America’s greatest [...]

VETERANS IGNORED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

ShareVETERANS IGNORED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES
WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET THE VETERANS ON THE DEBATE AGENDA
by Jere Beery
ALL STATIONS! Many of you have contacted me asking what you could do to help. Well, there is something you can do right now that will help. Call, email, or Fax Mr. Bob Schieffer and ask him [...]

Willie Nelson & Charlie Daniels Veterans Day Signature Guitar Raffle

ShareWillie Nelson & Charlie Daniels Veterans Day Signature Guitar Raffle
Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) has begun selling raffle tickets for a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, red, white, and blue Trinity River guitar signed by both Willie Nelson and Charlie Daniels
The raffle tickets are $1 for each entry, and you can enter as many times as you [...]

DEBATE: Open Letter to Senator John McCain

ShareVeterans Response to John McCain’s Speaking for Veterans during the 1st Presidential Debate 
Open Letter to Senator John McCain
by Jere Beery
Senator McCain, I watched the 1st Presidential debate with great interest. One particular comment made by you caught my attention. You stated “the veterans know you will take care of them’ if you are elected President. I’m [...]

American Music Legend Charlie Daniels Joins OFFE Team

ShareAmerican Music Legend Charlie Daniels Joins OFFE Team
by Jere Beery
Grammy Award winner Charlie Daniels, 72, is probably best known for his fiddle-drive hard-edge country and southern rock music. Over his career Daniels has worked with the best of the best in the music industry. In January of this year Daniels was inducted into the [...]

McCain Snubs Fellow Veterans in RNC Acceptance Speech

ShareMcCain Snubs Fellow Veterans in RNC Acceptance Speech
by Jere Beery
If you are a disabled veteran and were expecting Senator John McCain to address issues of importance to you and your family in his acceptance speech, you were probably very disappointed. Senator John McCain managed to deliver his 55 minute speech without using the [...]

OFFE Veteran’s Awareness Day

ShareHighlights of OFFE Veteran’s Awareness Day atDaley Plaza in Chicago 
On August 29th, Operation Firing For Effect hosted the first annual Veteran’s Awareness Day March & Rally at Daley Plaza. The event was designed to bring the much needed attention to veterans healthcare funding and related issues. Among the highlights of the Rally was the [...]

Willie Nelson Motivates Americana with PSAs for Veterans

ShareWillie Nelson Works to Motivate the American People with Public Service Announcements helping Veterans
by Jere Beery
On August 29th a series of 5 public service announcements (PSAs) featuring American Icon Willie Nelson are scheduled to premier at Dailey Plaza in Chicago, Illinois. The PSAs were produced by Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) and are designed to bring [...]

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