Bernhard R. Niemi
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Air Force
Bernhard R. Niemi of Embarrass, Minnesota, was inducted into the Army Air Corps on July 24, 1943.
He was a Sergeant and an aerial engineer/gunner in B-25 bombers in the 495th Bomb Squadron of the 344th Bomb Group in Rhineland and Central Europe. He flew a B-24 to England in December of 1944.
"Got sick and had stomach surgery in a field hospital in England. After V-E day we moved to France, then to Germany in 1945. After war ended, I was assigned to drive officers to concentration camps by Munich to check for war crime trials."
Mr. Niemi received the: Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with two bronze battle stars, American Campaign Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and two overseas service bars.
He was discharged on April 6, 1946.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 220.
