BERINGER, Raymond

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Registration Nr.:    310903 / S 0340

Birthday:    25.09.1931, Schifflange

Father:    Jacques BERINGER

Mother:    Marie WALDBILLIG

Service entry:    20.11.1950

Contingent:    2nd

Ranks:    Soldat de 2e Classe
                  Soldat de 1re Classe (1951)
                  Caporal (1953)
                  Sergent (1956)
                  Sergent-Chef (1963)
                  Adjudant (1972)
                  Adjudant-Chef (1978)
                  Adjudant-Major (1980)

Death:    10.10.2005

À Chatkol (Corée) au cours des violents et victorieux combats en mars-avril 1953 à un ennemi agressif et fanatique. Chef de pièce de mitrailleuse, extraordinaire par son courage et son sang-froid, lors de l’attaque chinoise dans la nuit du 07 au 08 avril, sous un violent bombardement à la place de sa propre initiative sa mitrailleuse a découvert sur le toit de son abri pour mieux remplir sa mission, faisant ainsi preuve d’un total mépris du danger."
Lt. Colonel Gathy (Belgium) about BERINGER.
Trans.:"In Chatkol (Korea) during the violent and victorious fighting in March-April 1953 against an aggressive and fanatical enemy. Chief of a machine gun, extraordinary by his courage and his composure, during the Chinese attack in the night of April 07 to 08, under a violent bombardment, on his own initiative his machine gun was discovered on the roof of his shelter to better fulfill his mission, thus showing a total disregard for danger."
Een éischte Motive, déi Zäit war zu Lëtzebuerg eng immens pro-amerikanesch Stëmmung, een zweete war Aventure, een drëtte war ech hu meng Militärzäit gemaach, ech wollt meng eege Grenze kenne léieren an ee véierte war mir krute sou vill versprach, datt jidderee gemengt huet, hie géif Direkter vun der ARBED ginn wann en erëm kéim."
Raymond stating his reasons for volunteering in the Korean War, Hei Elei 16 December 1990.
Trans.:"The first reason was, at the time a strong pro- American attitude prevailed in Luxembourg, the second was a sense of adventure, the third was, I had done my military service, I wanted to know my own limits and the fourth was, we were promised so much that everyone believed he would become Director of ARBED when he came back."
Volontaires pour toutes les patrouilles, courageux et calme en action. Excellent tireur Mi. 30. A rempli temporairement les fonctions de chef de pièce, était tireur Mi. 30 pendant 12 mois. A toujours donné satisfaction."
Lt. Res. Lutty about BERINGER, 13 February 1953.
Trans.:"Volunteer for all patrols, courageous and calm in action. Excellent Mi. 30 gunner. Fulfilled temporarily the duties of gunner, was Mi. 30 gunner for 12 months. Always gave satisfaction."
Sergeant Raymond Beringer saved the lives of numerous soldiers during a Chinese attack at Chatkol on April 7 and 8, 1953. Confronted with a heavy bombardment and a potential encirclement of the Belgian and Greek units, Beringer decided on his own – and at grave peril of himself – to move his machine gun to the roof of his bunker. With no regard for his own life, he furiously fired back at the enemy, blunting and ultimately repelling an attack that could have resulted in the capture – or worse of two battalions."
US-Representative Michael G. Oxley from the Republican Party about BERINGER, July 2001

Raymond was drafted in November 1950 and immediately reenlisted as a volunteer after his six months of compulsory service. His decision to fight in Korea was motivated by many factors. Raymond was confidently pro-American, adventurous and eager to gain combat experience after his military training, not to mention that he was interested in the money paid to volunteers fighting in Korea. At first, his mother disagreed with his decision and denied him written parental permission. Finally, she let him go.

During the Korean War, he served with the second contingent. Raymond was the gunner of a .30 calibre machine gun in the machine gun squad. In Korea, Raymond was promoted to Soldat de 1re Classe, then to Caporal.

Following the departure of the second contingent from Korea in January 1953, Raymond remained in the Belgian armed forces, together with Sergent Roger Feiereisen. On 7 and 8 April 1953, Chinese troops launched an attack against Belgian and Greek positions near Chatkol. Raymond decided, without concern for his own life, to place his machine gun on the roof of his bunker and repel the attack. He thus prevented the capture of Belgian and Greek soldiers by Chinese troops. Forty-nine years later, in 2001, Raymond was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery at Chatkol. In 1954, Raymond’s request to extend his military service in Korea for another year was denied. Therefore, he had to return to Luxembourg on 26 February 1954.

Raymond continued his military career in the Luxembourg Army until the age of 55 and finished his active service in September 1986 with the rank of an Adjutant-Major. Until June 1987, Raymond continued to take care of the military archives. After his official retirement, he became involved in Korean War remembrance work. He was one of the initiators of a petition for a commemorative plaque to be placed at the Gëlle Fra monument in honour of the 85 Luxembourgish veterans of the Korean War.

Raymond died on 10 October 2005 at the age of 74. His ashes were scattered on 14 October at the Ettelbruck cemetery. He was married to Triny Mohnen and had two daughters.

Croix d'Honneur et Mérite militaire en argent (Lux.)
Ambassador for Peace Medal
Bronze Star Medal with "V" (USA)
United Nations Service Medal (UNO)
Korean War Service Medal (RoK)
Médaille Commémorative des théâtres d'opérations extérieures (Bel.)
Médaille du Volontaire de Guerre avec barrette en bronze (Bel.)
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