Coronado resident and former Navy SEAL, James Joseph “Jim” Berta, 78, was pronounced dead at the scene on March 17 after getting into a car accident on Silver Strand Highway while riding his bike, according to police.
Berta served as a SEAL in the late 1960s and ‘70s, and in the early ‘90s he deployed in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
He was born in 1947 in Ottawa, Illinois, and was always involved in sports – football, swimming, diving, gymnastics and also lifeguarded in his free time, according to an obituary published by the Coronado Eagle and Journal. He met his wife, Mary Ann Redlich, in his sophomore year of high school and they were inseparable for the next half century.
A family trip to Huntington Beach as a teenager inspired Berta to one day move to the West Coast, and when he enlisted as a Navy Frogman and SEAL, it was under the condition that he could be stationed in Coronado.
The couple moved to the island in 1967 and soon after, Berta deployed with SEAL Team One to Vietnam.
In his second deployment from 1970-71, Berta served as a SEAL advisor and trainer to the Vietnamese frogmen.
A couple years after that, he moved to the reserves and worked as a civilian journeyman ironworker, according to the obituary. Berta helped build multiple structures and bridges throughout San Diego County, including the San Diego Convention Center and Coronado Shores.
In 1990, he was called to active duty for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
He retired from the Navy in 2002 after more than 30 years with a multitude of decorations including two Bronze Stars, the Combat Action Ribbon and a Purple Heart.
The obituary described Berta as a gentle and kind man known for his self-discipline and integrity. “Most days, you could find him outside his home, giving warm hellos to all who passed by and joking about it being ‘just another boring ol’ beautiful day in Coronado.’”
Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; children, Corey and Molly; and grandchildren, Sophie, Owen, and Elsie.
“His sense of humor, infectious smile, enthusiastic waves, hang-looses, bear hugs and winks will forever be missed,” said the obituary.
In a preliminary investigation, Coronado police officers said they did not think drugs or alcohol were involved.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
