Bert Bernd – 5th Army HQ WWII

My uncle, Philip E. Bergquist, served the USA at 5th Army Headquarters from October 1943 until October 1945. These stories about his colleagues come from letters he sent home from Italy to his family.

Included in the lists of office personnel Philip wrote home about, Bert was first listed as a ‘new fellow’ in the office in a letter dated 21 June 1944. This reference indicates Bert was from New York City. In his letter of 25 January 1945, my uncle identifies Bert as on the left in the back row of a group photo referred to as “The Road to Rome.” Here, Bert is listed as a Private. He is mentioned again in a letter of 27 March 1945 as one of two remaining Privates after several promotions in the office.