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Bergman, Hyman "Hank"

Date of birth:
March 12th, 1919 (Baltimore/Maryland, United States)
Date of death:
June 1st, 2010 (Miami/Florida, United States)
Service number:
33565379
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Hyman Berman was born in Baltimore, Maryland. In Highschool he was an active baseball and football player. His Highschool won the Baltimore City Championship in 1934 (?). After graduation from City College he played semi-professional softball in teams sponsored by Coca-Cola. To earn money during the Depression of 1930 he took a job with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He cleared swamps and built roads and highways. During this period he also took up boxing. After being honorably discharged from the CCC he went to work as a riveter in aviation industry.
March 19th, 1943, Hyman Bergman joined the Army and got his basic training at Fort Meade, Maryland. From this he graduated as Rifleman 745. August 20th, 1943, he was transferred to Europe and served with the 3rd Infantry Division. Following a period of illness, he was posted to the 30th Infantry Division. later to be transferred to the 88th Infantry Division "Blue Devils." He saw action at Anzio, Monte Cassino and in the Po plains.
After the war, he got his discharge from the army in Forth Jackson, Florida. Back in Baltimore, he studied to become a teacher. He married Anne and the couple moved to Florida. Here, Hyman Bergmann graduted from Miami University as a Bachelor in Education and later made his Master’s degree at the Nova Southeastern University. For 32 years he taught in Elementary School, 2 years in Baltimore and 30 years in Central Beach and Leroy D. Fienbergschool in Miami.

Hank Bergman was also entitled to wear the units Croix de Guerre with palme, awarded to the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private First Class
Unit:
30th Infantry Division
Awarded on:
February 4th, 1944
Citation:
"For exemplary conduct in ground combat against the armed enemy during the Naples-Foggia Campaign in the Mediterranean."

At the time of the presentation, his rank was Sergeant.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private First Class
Unit:
30th Infantry Division
Awarded on:
October 26th, 1944
Combat Infantryman Badge
Citation:
"For exemplary conduct in action against the enemy."

Headquarter Thirtieth Infantry APO # 3, Special Orders Number 147.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
Company "B", 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division
Awarded on:
June 13th, 1945
Citation:
"For gallantry in action on April 15, 1945, near Furcoli, Italy. Sergeant Bergman displayed outstanding gallantry in attacking German positions while exposed in hostile fire. When Company "B" attacked Furcoli Ridge, the enemy was firmly entrenched in caves. As Sergeant Bergman's platoon advanced, the intensity of the fire became so terrific that the platoon was unable to move. Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Bergman made his way forward alone, hostile fire cutting about him and shells bursting close by. Near the machine gun emplacement, he poured his fire into the dugout, killing one of the enemy, wounding and driving the others away in disorder. By his fearlessness in extreme danger and intrepid leadership, Sergeant Bergman destroyed the German machine gun position and enabled his platoon to advance. His gallant action has won the praise of his fellow soldiers and has reflected the fighting traditions of the American infantry soldier."

Headquarters 88th Infantry Division, US Army, APO # 88, General Orders, Number 75.
At the time of the action he still was Private Frist Class.
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, North Appennines, and Po Valley.

Received with four bronze battle stars for "NAPLES-FOGGIA", ROME-ARNO, "NORTH APPENNINES" and "PO VALLEY"..
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Sources

  • Photo 1: Sherman A. Bergman
  • - Hesperides, American Jews in World War II -, Volume 2, Read Books, 2007, ISBN 1406751065, 9781406751062
    - NARA-AAD

Photo