SPC Julian L. Guthrie Berisford

25, US Army

November 4 marks the passing of SPC. Julian L. Guthrie Berisford, 25, US Army of Benwood, WV. We honor and remember him, his family, and his mother Shelley Guthrie, of Moundsville WV.

SPC Berisford was born June 13, 1984 in Wheeling, WV, son of Shelley Guthrie, of Moundsville, and Jule Berisford, also of Moundsville. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. 

Julian died Nov. 4th  2009 in the Bermal district, Pakitika Province,  Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire.  He was deployed to Afghanistan in March of 2009 and was serving on his 1st Tour of Duty. 

Julian graduated from John Marshall High School in 2002; attended West Liberty State College; PIA of Pittsburgh; and enlisted in the US Army in 2007.

Julian wanted to be there for his daughter’s first steps, so he asked his wife to hold little Mya back just until he could come home. He was supposed to come home in November to celebrate Mya’s first birthday.

Julian loved hunting, fishing and “the great outdoors,” as he wrote on his MySpace page. He was proud of his family and proud of being a soldier, said his cousin Randi Jo Chavanak. “The only thing he said before he left was that he was going to do things right for families like ours,” Chavanak said. “He was going to fight for families.”

Julian enjoyed spending time with his family & friends, and was a huge Mountaineer fan, an amateur guitarist; and he loved listening to music, especially The Beatles. “He was a jokester and a fun-loving guy and always smiling,” said Cathy Jones, whose son went to school with him.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Moundsville.

Julian was a friend to everyone he met.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his loving, dedicated wife, and soul mate, Gina Marie Yankovich Berisford, who he married on December 31, 2007; and their beautiful baby girl, Mya Jean Berisford; who he adored; both were the love of his life.

Let us always remember him and… 

Say His Name

#neverforget #SayTheirNames #rememberthefallen #GoldStarMothers #GoldStar #goldstarfamilies #goldstarbridgeride #army #airborne