On 23 December 1942 Vernon entered the service as a private from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He had two years of high school education, was married and his civilian occupation was listed as: "Semiskilled filers, grinders, buffers, and polishers (metal)".

He was a member of the 437th TCG Association and was listed on their rolls from 1972 until 1998.

We have Private Berg listed on the 437th TCG Special Orders #195, dated 27 December 1943. These were the orders generated at Pope Field (Fort Bragg, NC) for the first phase of movement by air and by rail of the 437th personnel to their eventual overseas deployment.