Raymond “Raym” Mathias Beringer was born on 25 September 1931 to Jacques Beringer and Marie Waldbillig in Schifflange, where he also attended elementary school for eight years. Raymond’s father died in 1939 when Raymond was only 8 years old. Prior to his military career, Raymond worked as a mill worker and a woodcutter.
Raymond was conscripted in November 1950 and re-enlisted as a volunteer after his compulsory service of six months. During the Korean War, Raymond volunteered to serve in the Second Luxembourgish contingent led by Rodolphe Lutty. His decision was dependent on various reasons. First, he had a strict pro-American attitude, second, he was driven by his lust for adventure, third, he was to get practical war experience, and finally, he hoped to generate financial benefits. At first, Raymond’s mother did not approve of her son’s decision to join the war and he struggled to get written approval from her. Eventually, she allowed him to go.
In Korea, Raymond served in the Machine Gun Section (“Section Mitrailleuse”), operating the machine gun caliber 30. Still dwelling in Korea, Raymond was awarded a promotion from Soldat de la 1ière Classe to Caporal.
When the Second contingent left Korea in January 1953, Raymond, together with Sergent Roger Feiereisen stayed for one more year with the Belgian forces. On 7 and 8 April 1953, Chinese forces launched an attack at the Belgian and Greek positions at Chatkol. Raymond decided with no regard for his own life to place his machine gun on top of the bunker and to repel the attack, thus preventing the capture of Belgian and Greek soldiers by Chinese troops. In 2001, 49 years later, Raymond was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” (valor) for his actions at Chatkol. In 1954, Raymond’s attempt to extend his military service in Korea for one more year was declined, so he had to return to Luxembourg on 26 February 1954.
After his return, Raymond continued his military career in the Luxembourgish army and retired from service at the age of 55 in September 1986 with the rank of Adjudant-Major. Until June 1987, Raymond administrated the military archives. After his official retirement, Raymond stayed engaged in memorial work of the Korean War. By means of a petition, he could initiate the procedure to place a commemorative plaque at the Gëlle Fra with the names of all 85 Luxembourgish Korean veterans.
Raymond passed away on 10 October 2005 at the age of 74. His ashes were scattered at Ettelbruck Cemetery on 14 October. He was married to Triny Mohnen and the Father of two daughters.
I joined the army in January 1985, a time where he was still there.
And yes, a true hero, though it was sometimes not easy with him. But you
would prefer going with him at your side into a conflict rather than a
sergeant on office duty. But there were 2 rumors running back those
days, maybe, as you know a lot about his career you can possibly clarify
that.
1. It was said that he was not allowed to wear his Bronze star on
official occasions, as his medal was higher ranked than any medal the
Grand-Duke (Jean at that time) was awarded.
2. Rumors said also that in the end of pushing back enemy troops, he
was firing the machine gun with the barrel laying on his forearm which
caused of course burning his skin. So with one arm/hand pulling the
trigger and with the other arm stabilizing the gun. ( i know sounds
Rambo style). And anyone who has fired a heavy machine gun knows that
the barrel becomes extremely hot.
I hope you can help on clarifying if this was only myth building or
if it happened like this? To be clear, the action he took to push back
enemy is true, no doubt about that
2 comments
Raymond “Raym” Mathias Beringer was born on 25 September 1931 to Jacques Beringer and Marie Waldbillig in Schifflange, where he also attended elementary school for eight years. Raymond’s father died in 1939 when Raymond was only 8 years old. Prior to his military career, Raymond worked as a mill worker and a woodcutter.
Raymond was conscripted in November 1950 and re-enlisted as a volunteer after his compulsory service of six months. During the Korean War, Raymond volunteered to serve in the Second Luxembourgish contingent led by Rodolphe Lutty. His decision was dependent on various reasons. First, he had a strict pro-American attitude, second, he was driven by his lust for adventure, third, he was to get practical war experience, and finally, he hoped to generate financial benefits. At first, Raymond’s mother did not approve of her son’s decision to join the war and he struggled to get written approval from her. Eventually, she allowed him to go.
In Korea, Raymond served in the Machine Gun Section (“Section Mitrailleuse”), operating the machine gun caliber 30. Still dwelling in Korea, Raymond was awarded a promotion from Soldat de la 1ière Classe to Caporal.
When the Second contingent left Korea in January 1953, Raymond, together with Sergent Roger Feiereisen stayed for one more year with the Belgian forces. On 7 and 8 April 1953, Chinese forces launched an attack at the Belgian and Greek positions at Chatkol. Raymond decided with no regard for his own life to place his machine gun on top of the bunker and to repel the attack, thus preventing the capture of Belgian and Greek soldiers by Chinese troops. In 2001, 49 years later, Raymond was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” (valor) for his actions at Chatkol. In 1954, Raymond’s attempt to extend his military service in Korea for one more year was declined, so he had to return to Luxembourg on 26 February 1954.
After his return, Raymond continued his military career in the Luxembourgish army and retired from service at the age of 55 in September 1986 with the rank of Adjudant-Major. Until June 1987, Raymond administrated the military archives. After his official retirement, Raymond stayed engaged in memorial work of the Korean War. By means of a petition, he could initiate the procedure to place a commemorative plaque at the Gëlle Fra with the names of all 85 Luxembourgish Korean veterans.
Raymond passed away on 10 October 2005 at the age of 74. His ashes were scattered at Ettelbruck Cemetery on 14 October. He was married to Triny Mohnen and the Father of two daughters.
I joined the army in January 1985, a time where he was still there.
And yes, a true hero, though it was sometimes not easy with him. But you
would prefer going with him at your side into a conflict rather than a
sergeant on office duty. But there were 2 rumors running back those
days, maybe, as you know a lot about his career you can possibly clarify
that.
1. It was said that he was not allowed to wear his Bronze star on
official occasions, as his medal was higher ranked than any medal the
Grand-Duke (Jean at that time) was awarded.
2. Rumors said also that in the end of pushing back enemy troops, he
was firing the machine gun with the barrel laying on his forearm which
caused of course burning his skin. So with one arm/hand pulling the
trigger and with the other arm stabilizing the gun. ( i know sounds
Rambo style). And anyone who has fired a heavy machine gun knows that
the barrel becomes extremely hot.
I hope you can help on clarifying if this was only myth building or
if it happened like this? To be clear, the action he took to push back
enemy is true, no doubt about that