November 9, 1989 The Fall of the Berlin Wall

[Rakkasan187]

Today marks the 21st Anniversary of the opening of the borders between East and West Germany, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. As a 23 year old Infantry Sergeant assigned to 6th Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment (STRIKE) Berlin Brigade, I had the honor of witnessing one of the most important world changing events of the time. The mission of the Berlin Brigade since the occupation of Berlin by US forces from July 4, 1945 up until November 9, 1989 was one of a show of force against Soviet and East German forces. Combat in the Cities or MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) was the Brigades specialty. After November 9, 1989 the mission of the Brigade changed to a humanitarian mission. Individual units of the Brigade were tasked with supporting the German goverment in processing East German citizens with citizenship applications and other paperwork allowing permanent access into West Germany. Hundred of thousands of East German residents flocked to the West. As part of the reunification process that germany was undergoing, my unit, B. Company 6/502 Inf was tasked with providing security to one of several banks that were located in the heart of the city on the Kufurstendamm, or better known as the "Kudamm" by GI's. The West German government was giving 100 mark bills to every East German citizen that crossed into West Berlin from East Berlin as a "Welcome to the WEST and freedom gesture".. The West German Police or Polizei were busy with party goers and other incidents and the Army was asked to assist with security and other operations. My company was also responsible for setting up a soup kitchen to hand out hot soup and snacks to the east German citizens who were waiting in long lines to process paperwork..

 

As the reunification process started to dwindle down, I had the opportunity to visit areas of the city where large chunks of the Berlin Wall had not been removed. I was able to chip out and send home about 200 pounds of Berlin Wall to give to my family and friends.

 

As I was getting ready to PCS back to the United States, I was able to put about 40 pounds of Berlin Wall in my duffle bag. I flew out of Berlin and into Frankfurt, Germany and then flew into London's Heathrow Airport, before flying home to Boston, Massachusetts for 45 days of leave. While on the plane in London, waiting for take off, I had a window seat and was able to catch a meeting of several British Police under the wing. As I watched the "Bobbies" under the wing, a stewardess approached me, and asked "Excuse me, are you Mr. Smith? and I replied yes. The stewardess had behind her 2 British Police officers who wanted to talk to me, and asked me if I would accompnay them off the plane. I obliged them and deplaned. They brought me outside under the wing and sitting there was my duffle bag. The police asked me if I could open my bag because they could not identify an item that came up on the X-ray machine. When I opened the bag they saw all these pieces of concrete and I told them I just came from Berlin, where I had been stationed for the past 4 years, and these were pieces of the Berlin Wall. We all had a good laugh after it was determined the items were not plastic explosives.

 

Well, after getting the situation cleared up, plus minus a few more pounds of Berlin Wall from my duffle bag, that I gave to each of the Police involved (10), the pilot, and the absolutley drop dead gorgeous stewardess, (Tiffany) I was able to get back on board and into my seat for an uneventful flight back home to the USA.

 

My time in Berlin was a great experience. I never dreamed when I reenlisted for Berlin 4 years earlier in 1986 that I would pull guard duty on Rudolf Hess in Spandau Prison, meet President and Mrs Ronald Reagan, see Michael Jackson in concert, spend time with Sylvester Stallone at McNair Barracks, attend Queen Elizabeth's Birthday party at the Olympic Stadium that African American Athlete Jesse Owens proved Hitler's Master race theory wrong during the summer olympics, and witness the fall of the Berlin Wall...

 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all COLD WAR veterans who were stationed in Berlin or served in other parts of the Globe during this time. I also want to thank our Allies in Berlin, the British, and French forces who we trained with, partied with, mourned with, endured with, and served with. Thank you for making my time in Berlin a memorable one...

 

Forum members please feel free to post your comments, stories, experiences here about Berlin. When I have some time I will post some of my pictures here...

 

Thanks again, and Happy Anniversary, Berlin, Germany !!!

 

 

Leigh....

[Robswashashore]

Leigh, what a fascinating account of a vital era in our American military history. I think we all too quickly forgot exactly what you Cold warriors risked, protected, and accomplished during those years. It was not a given that the American freedoms we often take for granted would always just be there without the service of men like you. I am 55 years old, and I remember when they put the wall up, and honestly thought that there would never be a time when there would not be a Cold War, or a Berlin Wall. I am convinced that it was our determination to not just give in that helped bring the Wall down. Let Freedom Ring!

 

I thank you sincerely, Sir!

 

Jean

[ehrentitle]

I also served in the 6-502nd Infantry and later the G-4/DOL Berlin Brigade from 1985-89. Unfortunately I PCSed to take company command in Hanau just 10 months before the wall fell. I remember the annual Queen's Birthday Parades and President Reagan's visit in 1987. I was at Tempelhof for the president's arrival and departure ceremony and my wife was at the Brandenburg Gate for his "Tear Down this Wall" speech.

[Rakkasan187]

Thanks again Kevin for your service in Berlin..

 

I'm sure you remmeber CSM Horton, 6/502 CSM and 173rd Sky Soldier vet from Nam, and LTC Michael Virgin, Bn CDR, 101st Vet from Nam, and the DBC Colonel Collins... Good memories..

 

Leigh...

[ehrentitle]

Thanks again Kevin for your service in Berlin..

 

I'm sure you remmeber CSM Horton, 6/502 CSM and 173rd Sky Soldier vet from Nam, and LTC Michael Virgin, Bn CDR, 101st Vet from Nam, and the DBC Colonel Collins... Good memories..

 

Leigh...

 

 

I don't remember any of them except COL Collins. The 6-502nd, Battalion Commanders when I was there were LTC Crider and LTC Hutchinson

[m1ashooter]

Thanks for helping me remember this historical event. I remember the huge smile I had while being on my command post shift and watching the beginning of the fall of the WARSAW PACT.

[Sgt_Rock_EasyCo]

Great story. Thanks for the great story about the wall coming down. I always wondered what it was like; after so many hours of patrolling it.

 

I ended my career in the 5/502nd stationed at the Mcair Kaserne and ETS'd in 1986. My job was a scout ASL/SL and I too enjoyed my time there. Lots of great times at the Irish Pub (next to the old church), summer days sleeping off the previous nights drunkfest at the lake and patrolling the wall with the East German Border Guards dangling their "Short Timer Chains" out the windows of the guard shacks. Of course several guys were deafened and killed by the bomb blast at the nightclub and we were in combat mode for awhile after that. All that ammo on those old jeeps bottomed out the suspensions. Libya paid a price, we kept partying in our barracks (inviting the German girls for out parties). It was all good. I was another person then.

 

 

 

Rock

[Rakkasan187]

Thanks Rock for sharing,

 

Many great stories and times in Berlin. The Irish Pub was a great kick off point for weekend parties. Always ended up going to the "Ku Dorf" night Club and the "Big Eden", but usually after midnight when the "teenie boppers" had to leave...

 

I got to Berlin after the Labelle Discoteque bombing but it was a constant reminder of our vigilance in the city. I lost a good friend on flight 103 when it crashed in Lockerbie, Scottland on December 21, 1988. It was determined to be a terrorist bomb that brought the plane down. Specialist Kenneth Gibson, A Co. 6/502 Inf, Berlin Brigade was going home on Christmas leave, but never made it. I was the Staff Duty NCO when he signed out on leave...

 

I never saw Kenny again... Rest in Peace Ken..

 

Leigh...

[Sgt_Rock_EasyCo]

RIP to all our Berlin Bridage friends that perished keeping Berlin free. To the French and British for participating in the NCO Ball and to our "Allies", the Russians for protecting their empire from all us Westerners trying to get in. And to the great pieces of concrete that served as a barrier to so many seeking freedom, but for us would have been our own Warsaw Ghetto if the Russians had declared war on the Western Powers. All they had to do was to starve us out or place POW Signs on the wall surrounding Berlin.

 

And to all the German girls that we chased...I thank you! To the girls that worked in the Brothels...I thank you on behalf of my buddies because I told my Wife I didn't do that kinda thing. And I raise a toast to our counterparts (German Border Guards) for their sense of humor over the stupidity of the whole thing.

 

Rock

[lewis505]

Nice story brother! I had a Section Sgt at Bragg who was in the Mortar Platoon in Berlin up until '92 - SGT Chris Poulos - he had a lot of crazy stories!

 

Getting "caught up" on stuff while here at Bragg on leave - gotta get together when I get back on the 4th + I have a deployment belt buckle for you

 

Chat soon - GO PATS!

 

Lew

[capa]

Thanks for the short history Leigh (and Rock). Truly an annual date to celebrate. I was a Cold War Marine Corps Reservist (1983-88) while I was in college. We were all convinced that it was just a matter of time before we would go to war with the Soviet Union. Fortunately, and obviously, that never happened.

Thanks so much to you guys who were active duty and truly on the front lines. I am well aware of the professionalism you displayed, while on duty anyway , and how that deterred the East Germans and Soviets.

Cheers,

Capa (Fielding)

[Steve B.]

Thanks again Kevin for your service in Berlin..

 

I'm sure you remmeber CSM Horton, 6/502 CSM and 173rd Sky Soldier vet from Nam, and LTC Michael Virgin, Bn CDR, 101st Vet from Nam, and the DBC Colonel Collins... Good memories..

 

Leigh...

 

Holy cow! Small world! I served with then-Captain Michael E. Virgin in the S-3 section, 3rd Bn, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division at Ft Lewis in the early 70s. We finally got him to (sort of) tell us how he got his Silver Star. He had a name plate on his desk that read M.E. Virgin. He would say "Me virgin!" and laugh.

 

I was in Berlin for a week in about 1977. We stayed in 6th Infantry (don't remember which battalion) barracks, and spent several days at the combat in cities course, did PT with rifle & fixed bayonets, one day in protective masks; got to do the East Berlin tour (in uniform!), and spent every night at the Big Apple nightclub downtown on the Ku-damm. Flew in and out of Templehof.

 

It was very sobering to train while the East Germans watched from their towers. It sort of brought the reason for our presence into sharper focus.

 

Thanks for the reminder.

 

Steve

[0bx]

Served in Germany during the cold war, 1960-1963, near the Fulda Gap. I was a cryptographer with a pretty high security clearance and was not permitted to travel to Berlin. However, I definitely remember the Berlin Wall going up on Aug 13, 1961. Within days, we(48th Inf, 3rd Armored Div) received new tanks, new APCs, new rifles, the works. We were ready to go as all combat-ready-units in Germany were. Fortunately, it never happened, but combat readiness remained high for years to come.

-Fritz