Did anyone serve when the Berlin Wall was still up? Did you ever stand a post at Checkpoint Charlie?

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 20:30:18 -0400

Did anyone serve when the Berlin Wall was still up? Did you ever stand a post at Checkpoint Charlie? Please share your experiences. PHOTOS!!!

Response by Cpl Rick West made Sep 14 at 2014 8:39 PM

Cpl Rick West — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 20:39:23 -0400

I served from 1979-1985
I don't have many photos. Really didn't have much time for pictures.
Wish I did..

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Sep 14 at 2014 8:57 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 20:57:23 -0400

I wasn't in Germany at the time of East/West Germany. I came to Germany a few years later (94/95). Unfortunately by that time they had tore so much of the old wall down it was hard to fully appreciate what it was. I did go to 'Checkpoint Charlie' as a tourist (I know not the same thing) that was interesting. And driving through Germany, perhaps it was my vivid imagination but I felt you could still feel and see a difference between the two 'nations'. I am sure East has been built up to match West by now.

Actually I would love to go back but, I have heard it isn't the same anymore. (Nothing ever is)

Response by MSG(P) Michael Warrick made Sep 14 at 2014 9:35 PM

MSG(P) Michael Warrick — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 21:35:29 -0400

SFC Mark Merino - yes I served when the Berlin Wall was still standing. In fact, I was station in Germany and was one of the last few Soldiers to ever go through Checkpoint Charlie. I have a piece of the Berlin Wall that I gave my grandmother but when she passed it came back to me. I remember the day in Germany when the wall came down and Germany was reunited. I have to find some time to load pictures from when I went on the East Berlin Orientation Tour Sponsored by the Army.

Response by MSgt Lowell Skelton made Sep 15 at 2014 4:16 AM

MSgt Lowell Skelton — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 04:16:56 -0400

4 years stationed in Berlin, 80-84.

Response by CPT Erik Eriksen made Nov 25 at 2014 8:12 PM

CPT Erik Eriksen — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:12:10 -0500

I was stationed in Bamberg, GE from '80-'82. I only went to Berlin once. I was on a German bowling team that won regionals and had to play the nationals in Berlin. I had to get off the German bus, hitch a ride with an American through the corridor, and get re-united with the bus at the other end.

Coming back from Berlin, I wound up in a car with four single women my age. It was a nice ride.

Response by Cpl Rick West made Feb 2 at 2015 5:15 PM

Cpl Rick West — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:15:40 -0500

I served from "79/85"

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 2 at 2015 5:21 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:21:03 -0500

I was stationed in Germany from 86 until 93, during that time I served on the border and was stationed in Gelnhausen, Schweinfurt and Berlin. I then got a European out in 1993 and stayed in Berlin until 2009, I still have my residence there and my company is registered there but I now live in Budapest. Border patrol was the best part of my career, I never served directly on CP Charlie but I have many stories...great times indeed...my last Army Photo with the Berlin Brigade Patch.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 2 at 2015 5:53 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:53:31 -0500

Little known "Detachment A"...DAMN I loved Berlin!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 3:07 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 03:07:13 -0500

CSC 6-502 Infantry Berlin Germany was my first duty station. The Wall came down about four months after I PCSd. I have a ton of stories, unfortunately...what happens in Berlin stays in Berlin, Bahahahaha!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 3:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 03:11:19 -0500

Welcome to Hell. CPC was for tourists like "die Kudam" @SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA can ident from this angle. CP's Alpha Bravo Charlie (spy bridge) etc. were Human/Cargo specific entry points into AZ West Berlin, depending on the Soviet Liaison Mission's daily attitude. Protocols followed to "perfect" precision or WW III. A noteworthy chapter the Pentagon failed to recognize in us and Euro Security, but they do now huh? How bout those Rebel mothers in Ukraine? Stack and go get 'em! While we watch.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 3:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 03:26:54 -0500

Like to meet the person who said; "no shots fired". Ancient History

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 6:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 06:11:31 -0400

My first tour in Germany with B co 2/36 infantry Ayers Kaserne, 1983-1986. We had it rough.
Second time around was B co 4/12 infantry Baumholder, 1989-1992. I was training at Graf when the wall came down.

Response by SGT Valerie Wright made Dec 23 at 2015 4:41 PM

SGT Valerie Wright — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 16:41:16 -0500

Yes I served at the rock in 1985, but lost all my pics. trying to see if there is a site there at the rock that I can see some photos myself.

Response by SPC John Parmenter made Sep 17 at 2016 1:16 PM

SPC John Parmenter — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 13:16:04 -0400

SFC Mark Merino, it was my privilege to serve in Berlin spring & summer 1963 in an augmenting Task Force. Following the Wall's construction (August 1961) President Kennedy ordered reinforcement of Berlin Brigade. A rotation of other units were attached to Berlin's U.S. Garrison until 1966. Each Task Force, which stayed in the City 90 days, included an Infantry Battle Group reinforced by a light howitzer battery & a light truck company. The first two Task Forces were from 8th & 24th Infantry Divisions in West Germany. From 1962-1963, CONUS (4th ID & 1st ID) rotated troops into the City, during "Operation Long Thrust." My unit, 1st Battle Group, 28th Infantry "Lions of Cantigny," 1st Infantry Division was stationed in West Berlin on 26 June 1963, when President Kennedy visited. Lieutenant Steve Monsees from my unit served as OIC of Check Point Charlie at that time. Here's a photo of him at Check Point Charlie conferring with a 7th Army MP (who was also reinforcing Berlin Brigade). Other photos are of President Kennedy en route to address the U.S. Berlin Community at Clay HQ & the Brandenburg Gate (Soviet Sector) taken from the British Sector in 1963 with Berlin Wall in foreground. Fortunately, I took numerous pictures in Berlin & have even published a couple articles about that experience.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2016 1:21 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 13:21:56 -0400

Active Air Force 1960 to 1975. But, my overseas was Japan, a long way from Checkpoint Charley

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Sep 17 at 2016 3:09 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 15:09:36 -0400

Yes. I went there in a mwr tour. I was stationed at Ramstein. I had to be debriefed when I got back.

Response by SPC Charles Batchelor made Apr 30 at 2017 6:14 PM

SPC Charles Batchelor — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 18:14:22 -0400

Yes to the first part but no to the second, wasn't an MP at that time...was Commo in C Co., 6th BN, 502nd INF.

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Jun 30 at 2017 1:44 AM

PFC Lisa McDonald — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 01:44:33 -0400

I served in Berlin 1982-84. I never served at Checkpoint Charlie.
I pulled guard duty twice at Spandau.
Great duty station.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Nov 14 at 2017 3:19 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 15:19:35 -0500

Co A, United States Army Field Station Berlin, 1980-82. Still think about it a lot. Tuefelsberg, or Devil’s Mountain, isn’t far from my memory. Memories.

Response by SP5 Johnny Getz made Aug 28 at 2018 6:17 PM

SP5 Johnny Getz — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 18:17:32 -0400

I was there when the wall was up but did no guard duty

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2018 11:42 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 23:42:20 -0400

yes 3years. went through check point on bus tour

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Aug 31 at 2018 7:20 AM

SFC Dennis A. — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 07:20:24 -0400

I was stationed in Germany 3 times between 1976 and 1987 but never made it to Berlin.

Response by SPC Ray Spraul made Sep 30 at 2018 10:01 PM

SPC Ray Spraul — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 22:01:05 -0400

Served in Berlin Brigade 1968-1970. Stationed at McNair Barracks.

Response by SP5 Johnny Getz made Nov 11 at 2018 6:43 AM

SP5 Johnny Getz — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 06:43:39 -0500

My wife and I did our Christmas shopping two years in East Berlin. With the deutschmark to dollar exchange rate in 1970, everything was cheap. We drove through shopped, dined, and returned home.

Response by SSG Jeff Trnka made Nov 11 at 2018 10:10 AM

SSG Jeff Trnka — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 10:10:07 -0500

87-90, 287th MP Co. 2nd Rg USACID, Left in Feb 90.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Nov 11 at 2018 11:06 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 11:06:09 -0500

I was stationed at USAREUR HQ and went TDY to Berlin once in 1967 and twice in 1968. 3 days each trip.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 7 at 2019 7:01 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 19:01:12 -0400

Yes, I was in Frankfurt and Fulda? But had no duties in Berlin!

Response by SPC Gary Bida made Oct 30 at 2019 8:34 PM

SPC Gary Bida — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 20:34:54 -0400

Served 1972 /74
Checkpoint Charlie

Response by 1SG Lamar Dee Evans made Apr 19 at 2020 3:25 PM

1SG Lamar Dee Evans — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:25:49 -0400

Yes, Alpha Gators 2/6 Infantry 1977-79...

Response by SPC Gary Bida made Jun 25 at 2023 6:37 PM

SPC Gary Bida — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 18:37:27 -0400

I served in Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie from 1972 to 1974

Response by PFC Joseph Simpson made Aug 17 at 2023 1:07 PM

PFC Joseph Simpson — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 13:07:09 -0400

Was there when changing of the guards at the Prison where Hess was,plus Rat patrol of the boarders,-Joseph Simpson-(Joe)

Response by SPC Troyce Sosebee made Mar 7 at 2024 6:05 AM

SPC Troyce Sosebee — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 06:05:46 -0500

I was there during 1963. We were part of Operation Longthrust VI from the 1st Infantry Division of Fort Riley, Kansas. We were there on Temporary Duty. We we members of Task Force 28. We only stayed there about three months. I was assigned to Battery A, 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 33rd Artillery. We were attached to the 1st BG, 28th Infantry which was also there. I think we were the only American Field Artillery unit there at the time. We were there when John Kennedy went to West Berlin and gave his famous speech on June 26, 1963. We did go to Checkpoint Charlie once, but we did not stand post there. I think the wall had been up for about 18 months when we arrived.

Response by SPC Troyce Sosebee made Mar 7 at 2024 6:05 AM

SPC Troyce Sosebee — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 06:05:46 -0500

Response by SGT James Driggers made Aug 3 at 2024 2:14 PM

SGT James Driggers — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 14:14:33 -0400

Yes from 1974to1978 cowboy 23 c company 266/2nd AD best gunner at grafenvier Germany 1978 have pictures but have to find them.