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SDPB Homefront Stories

Edward Berreth, 2007 

  • Branch of Service: United States Army
  • Highest Rank: Corporal, Tech 5
  • Military Service: Drafted, December 2, 1941 - October 31, 1945

 

Listen to the following sections by scrolling forward to the timecode.

0:00 - Received draft letter, went to draft board, joined Army
3:34 - Heard about Pearl Harbor when in barracks, learned to develop x-rays because of experience with developing photos 
8:00 - Assigned to Infantry 
11:22 - Practiced drawing blood on oranges, gave physicals, gave a shot for the first time, became a needle expert 
15:36 - Learned how to deliver a baby, lost rating because went to a bar
18:18 - Got stripes back, sent to Fort Bragg North Carolina as a medic, sent home on leave to get married, time with wife in service 
24:06 - Went overseas (took 2 weeks), winter with high waves 
26:20 - Arrived in England on landing barge, placed in a truck, hungry   
30:09 - Arrived at the tent camp, life in a tent camp, shave and bath in helmet 
32:00 - Relive troop for British, wrote last letters before combat
34:25 - Stayed in school, hernia, and surgery in the U.S., reflection, and life after the war   

Edward Berreth Obituary 

This story was recorded at an SDPB event in Sioux Falls, SD. 


Images Provided by Edward Berreth

Army of the United States, Honorable Discharge


List of Outfits Awarded Stars is Lengthened (Article provided by Edward H. Berreth)


Edward H. Berreth with wife Lillian, 2007



For more information about SDPB's educational resources 
and services contact Steven Rokusek at
EdServices@sdpb.org or at (605) 222-3422


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