DES MOINES, Iowa — Col. Gerald Berry is proud to be from Des Moines.
"I went to Des Moines Tech High School," Berry said. "It's no longer here, but we were a force in athletics."
He's also very honored to have served in the Marines during the Vietnam War.
"I was a CH-46 helicopter pilot in Vietnam. I went there and '69 and '70 and then of course came back for the evacuation of Saigon," he said. "I guess my claim to fame is I tell everybody I ended the Vietnam War when I brought the ambassador home."
Berry's helicopter rescued then-U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Graham Martin at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.
Berry will be the keynote speaker Friday for Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day at the Iowa State Capitol Grounds at 11 a.m.