Pvt. John "Jack" F. Bertch     

 

Mil# 35233303

Enlisted: 5 July 1943, Akron, OH

 A. Company 643rd TD BN.

 

 

 

 

Info/Pictures received from; Shirley Kreft

 

 

 

Born: 8 February 1924    Place: Youngstown, OH

Died:  15 April 2015      Place: Youngstown, OH

Buried: Cremated

 

1st Wife: Marie Bertch (Antonucci)  Married: 3 February 1951

 

2nd Wife: Esther Bertch (Schultz -Ward)  Married: 1 January 1985

Step-Children: Richard and Janet

 

 

Father: Frank Bertch    Mother: Charlotte Bertch (Moore)

Siblings: Marion, Rita, Thomas and Frank

 

 

Awards

 

      Purple Heart  -  WWII Victory Medal - American Campaign Medal

 

                                                                          

 

European African Middle Eastern Service Medal

Battle Stars"Ardennes-Rhineland "

 

Prisoner of War Ribbon

 

On 23 December 1944 in The Battle of the Bulge, John was captured by the Germans (Baraque de Fraiture) close to the German/Belgium border. He and other prisoners were transported to Stalag XI-B at Fallingbostel, Germany. The Camp was liberated by British Troops on 16 April 1945.

 

      

 

    

Camp Stalag XI-B

 

 

      

    

 

 

 

 

 

John's picture that was on his obituary

 

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