Kenneth D. Bergquist

Era: World War II

Military Branch: Army

Mr. Bergquist entered the Army on September 23, 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.

He served as a Technical Sergeant and radar technician, engineer and mechanic for B25 bombers with the 15th Army Air Group of the 5th Air Corp in Foggia, Italy.

He was awarded the following: Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and four overseas bars.

Mr. Bergquist was honorably discharged on November 30, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

"He received his military training at various places including Scott Field, Illinois, Greensboro, North Carolina, Fort Hood, Texas, and Florida. Married Aileen Johnson on November 16, 1943, at his home on 27th Avenue West, Duluth, Minnesota.

"He wore his military uniform and she wore a street length dress. As most of his friends were in the service, there were very few men left in the area to be his best man. They chose Aileen's cousin, Casmire Bartecki and Kenny's sister, Kathryn, as maid of honor. Kenny had a hunch of where he was to be sent overseas but he could not reveal that information to family. He told his wife if he wrote to her stating he missed the foghorn (on the Aerial Lift Bridge, Canal Park, Duluth) he was sent to Foggia, Italy.

"Sure enough, Aileen got a letter in which Kenny wrote of missing the foghorn! Kenny was nicknamed "Corn Starch" because he used the product on his thighs to keep from chafing. After armistice was signed, Kenny was on a Navy transport back to the states. The seas were very rough causing many to be seasick. Kenny included. While purging over the side of the ship, he lost his dentures!! He ate soda crackers and soup the rest of the way home. It was two weeks before he had new dentures made at Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin."

Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 351.