News Summary
The American Legion Beaufort Post 207 has recognized veterans Jim Berry, Patrick Pylant, and Mike Tollison for their exceptional military service. Each veteran’s career reflects significant contributions to their respective branches of the military, highlighting their dedication and commitment. This honor serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans in service to their country.
Beaufort, South Carolina – The American Legion Beaufort Post 207 recently honored three local veterans for their distinguished military service, spotlighting the contributions of Jim Berry, Patrick Pylant, and Mike Tollison. Each veteran has exemplified dedication and commitment during their time in service, spanning various branches of the military and multiple significant assignments.
Recognizing Jim Berry’s Service
Jim Berry, 74, enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from Clemson University’s ROTC program in 1973. He started his career as a Second Lieutenant specializing in base civil engineering. His initial assignment took him to Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, which served as a station for B-52 bombers. At Blytheville, he also took on additional duties that included participating in honor details for military funerals.
Berry’s path led him to serve at Campion Air Force Station in Alaska at an early warning radar site, before being reassigned to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There, he pursued further education, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Facilities Management. Following his education, he returned to South Carolina to work at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, where he played a critical role in converting the base for F-16 fighter operations. During this period, Berry married his wife Barbara and was deployed to Egypt during the Iranian hostage crisis.
His further assignments included active duty management at the McEntire Air National Guard Base in Hopkins, South Carolina, focusing on F-16 conversions. Berry’s military career concluded with his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1994. Post-retirement, he dedicated 20 years as the Physical Plant Director for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, overseeing statewide initiatives such as the construction of Victory House in Walterboro. In 2019, Berry and his wife relocated to Port Royal.
The Naval Service of Patrick Pylant
Patrick Pylant, 63, embarked on his military journey by enlisting in the United States Navy in Charleston in 1979. After completing Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, he specialized as a machinist mate. Pylant’s initial assignment was aboard the USS Brumby (FF-1044), based in Charleston, where he participated in two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea.
Among his notable achievements, Pylant earned a Coast Guard Unit Commendation for his actions during a fire on an Army Corps of Engineers dredge in Charleston harbor. He also played a role in recovery efforts following the U.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut. His career continued on the submarine tender USS Hunley (AS-31) in Scotland, where he cross-trained as a radiological controls worker. Eventually, Pylant returned to Charleston Naval Base onboard the USS Holland (AS-32) during various disasters, concluding his Navy service with the ammunition ship USS Santa Barbara (AE-28) in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.
Pylant retired in 1997, proudly wearing the Enlisted Surface Warfare Pin. He later spent nine years in Alaska maintaining facilities for the Boys & Girls Clubs before moving to Beaufort in 2023, where he currently resides at Laurel Bay.
Mike Tollison’s Legacy in the Naval Reserve
At 83 years old, Mike Tollison’s military career dates back to 1963 when he joined the United States Naval Reserve in Greenville, South Carolina. After Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, he trained as a Storekeeper while juggling a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and received a commission in 1968, training as a Nuclear Weapons Technical Ordnance Officer at Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico.
Tollison’s journey saw him return to the reserves in 1970 while continuing his tenure with TVA in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His active duty reintegration in 1985 led him to write training manuals for reservists. He took on leadership roles as Officer in Charge for recruitment and later as OIC of the Career Information Team in Norfolk, assisting transitioning service members. His naval career also included time at the Naval Academy, where he began as the Director of the 150th Academy Anniversary and transitioned to teaching English and Ethics.
Ending his career as a Captain (O-6) in 1997 after 33 years of service, Tollison ventured into education, teaching in North Carolina and Texas, before becoming the Dean of Military Education at the Navy’s Great Lakes Training Center, eventually serving as the Deputy Director for Military Education for San Diego City College. Tollison relocated to Yemassee in 2017 and remains active in various veterans’ organizations, including MOAA, ROA, DAV, and AMVETS.
This recognition of Jim Berry, Patrick Pylant, and Mike Tollison by the American Legion Beaufort Post 207 serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication and sacrifices made by veterans in service to their country.
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Additional Resources
- Your Island News: Patrick Pylant
- Wikipedia: Veterans in the United States
- WITN: Vietnam Veterans Honored
- Google Search: American Legion
- Your Island News: Mike Tollison
- Google Scholar: Military Service Recognition
- Your Island News: Jacqueline Johnson
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Veterans Benefits
- Your Island News: John Dudley
- Google News: Veterans News
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