Hank Bergman
Encyclopedia
Hyman "Hank" Bergman of Baltimore, Maryland, was a U.S. Army
combat veteran of World War II
, who while serving with the "Blue Devils" of the 88th Infantry Division was awarded the Silver Star
for single-handedly destroying a German machine-gun nest, while under enemy fire.
(real name: Norman Weinberger).
According to a 1945 article in the Baltimore Evening Sun, while in high school (P.S. #91), Bergman lettered in baseball and football, but was more known for his baseball pitching abilities. He earned the nickname "Hank", because Baltimore fans said he reminded them of major league baseball star Hank Greenberg
.With Bergman pitching, his high school baseball team from P.S. # 91, defeated P.S. # 115 to win the Baltimore City Championship in 1934. He was also a member of Baltimore's "Easterwood Boys", a youth group associated with Easterwood Park. In 1936, Bergman played in the 1936 PAL Newspost American Softball Tournament.
After graduating from Baltimore City College
High School, Bergman played semi-professional softball for teams sponsored by the Coca-Cola
Company. In 1940, his pitching earned his team the Baltimore City Amateur Softball Championship. The 1930s were still Depression years, and to earn extra money to help his widowed mother, Fannie Bloom, Bergman joined the Civilian Conservation Corps
(CC). Bergman worked on clearing swamps and building roads and highways. While in the Civilian Conservation Corps
, Bergman competed as an amateur lightweight boxer. He compiled an undefeated record of 9-0 (9 knockouts) which included a bout with Tony LaPonte. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Civilian Conservation Corps
, Bergman worked as an aircraft riveter prior to entering the United States military.
on 19 March 1943. He completed his basic training at Fort Meade, Maryland
. His military occupational specialty and number was: Rifleman 745. On August 20, 1943, Bergman was shipped overseas to the European Theater of Operations
. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division (made famous by Medal of Honor
recipient, Audie Murphy
), the 30th Infantry Division, and the "Blue Devils" of the 88th Infantry Division. In Audie Murphy
's autobiography, To Hell and Back, Murphy mentions a soldier named Bergman, but it's unclear if he meant Hyman Bergman.
As an infantry sergeant,Bergman was in fierce combat in Africa
, Europe
, and the Middle East
. His campaigns and battles included Naples
-Foggia
, Rome
-Arno
(January 22 to September 9, 1944), North Appennines(September 10, 1944 to April 4, 1945), and Po Valley
(April 5 to May 8, 1945).Bergman fought at Volterra
against the German's 90th Panzer Grenadier Division, and at Magnacavallo
against the 305th German Infantry (commanded by Major General Von Schellwitz). Also, he saw action at Anzio
, Arno River, Belvedere, Brenner Pass
, Cassino
, Della Tombe, Furcoli Ridge, Frasinetto, Gothic Line
, Hill 497 (above Furcoli), Monterumici Highway 64 sector, Mt. la Fine, Mt. Cerrere, Palaia
, Palermo
, Po Valley
, Roncolla, Salerno
, Sassaleone, Sicily
, Volturno River, Verona
and Vicenza
.
in 1944, his citation reads:
for gallantry in action. His citation reads:
, Posner was in Italy's Po Valley
hunkered down in a foxhole while shells and bullets whistled all around; "Suddenly, someone jumped into the foxhole, finger on the pin of a grenade, and landed on Marvin's shoulders.It was Hank Bergman, a member of the Easterwood Boys, friend of the Jackson Club guys and a neighbor. " What the hell are you doing here?" questioned Hank when he recognized Marvin. Hank had been ordered by his captain to take out a German machine gun nest about 15 yards atop a knob. Still holding the grenade pin, Hank jumped off Marvin's shoulders, crawled on his belly and headed for the right flank while Marvin attempted to distract the Germans' attention. They were fighting for their lives against a superior weapon-the fastest machine gun in the world used by the Germans that could replace an empty barrel in one-fifth of one second just by a flip of the lever. Marvin killed one German manning the machine gun. A loud bang was heard. A grenade thrown by Hank, a former baseball pitcher, destroyed the enemy's machine gun nest."
, the Bronze Star
, the Combat Infantryman Badge
, World War II Victory Medal
, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, American Campaign Medal
, the Good Conduct Medal
, Honorable Service Lapel Button,Honorable Discharge Emblem, Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Component Bar, Cold War Recognition Certificate
, Division Citation (not individual)349th Infantry Regiment (88th Infantry Division):Croix de Guerre
with Palm, 4 Overseas Service Bar
s ("Hershey"), and the Presidential Memorial Certificate
. Bergman was a veteran of World War II
and the Cold War
.
. After he received his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army
, he attended college on the G.I. Bill.
Following his return to Baltimore, Bergman was approached by the Democratic Party
and asked to run for political office. However, he decided to seek a career in education instead.
Bergman married his wife Anne, and the couple moved to Miami Beach, Florida
, where Hank graduated from the University of Miami
with a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1952. Later, he earned Masters and Specialist Degrees in Education from Nova Southeastern University
. Bergman was a 6th grade elementary school teacher for 32 years, and was a 20-year member of the UTD (United Teachers of Dade County). He taught for 2 years in the Baltimore school system, and for 30 years at Central Beach and Leroy D. Fienberg Elementary Schools (Miami-Dade County Public Schools
).
Bergman's hobby was chess
. In the 1960s, he became an avid player and was a 30 year member of the Miami Beach Chess Club. On Saturday, May 11, 1968, at the Miami Beach Chess Club in Miami Beach, Florida, Bergman defeated Anthony Santasiere
in a simultaneous exhibition
, with Santasiere playing against 21 opponents. Santasiere, had defeated future world chess champion Bobby Fischer
in 1957. Santasiere scored 12 victories, three draws
, four defaults, and lost to Hank Bergman and Irving Lynch.
From 1973 to 2010, Bergman trained his son, Sherman Bergman in boxing and kickboxing. The younger Bergman posted a 17-4-0 (17 knockouts) amateur boxing record, and a 62-8-1 (60 knockouts) kickboxing record.
In 1980, Bergman wrote an article entitled: It Happened To Me, for Soldier of Fortune Magazine; recalling his experiences on Furcoli Ridge in which his actions earned him the Silver Star
Medal.
Hank Bergman lived with his wife and son in retirement in the North Beach section of Miami Beach, Florida, and was active in community service.
Bergman became involved with the pop-tab recycling campaign to support the Ronald McDonald House in Miami, Florida. The McDonald House provides comfort, support, and housing to families that have seriously ill children being treated in area hospitals. According to three Miami Herald newspaper reports, since 2004, Bergman personally collected over 25,000 pop-tabs to aid the campaign.
, in Miami, Florida, Hyman "Hank" Bergman died suddenly and unexpectedly while being treated in a local hospital following a brief illness. Bergman's funeral services were held on June 7 with full-military honors. His interment was at Lakeside Memorial Park in the Garden of Heroes (Miami, Florida). On October 12, 2010, Bergman was issued a Presidential Memorial Certificate
signed by the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama
.
, Miami Beach Police Chief Carlos Noriega, Assistant Police Chief Raymond Martinez, Principals Shirley Velasco (Miami Beach Adult), Maria Zabala (Fienberg Elementary), and Rosann Sidener (Miami Beach High), along with honor guards from the Miami Beach Police Department and the Junior ROTC of Miami Beach High School.
Bergman was also remembered in the Miami Herald on Veteran's Day, November 11.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
combat veteran of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, who while serving with the "Blue Devils" of the 88th Infantry Division was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for single-handedly destroying a German machine-gun nest, while under enemy fire.
Pre-World War II years
Bergman was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up at 1543 North Appleton Street in the same neighborhood as professional boxer Jack Portney and film actor Steve WayneSteve Wayne
Steve Wayne was a film and television actor appearing in movies and commercials for products such as Alka-Seltzer, Wheaties and Ocean Spray.Wayne was born Norman Weinberger. He had two brothers...
(real name: Norman Weinberger).
According to a 1945 article in the Baltimore Evening Sun, while in high school (P.S. #91), Bergman lettered in baseball and football, but was more known for his baseball pitching abilities. He earned the nickname "Hank", because Baltimore fans said he reminded them of major league baseball star Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
.With Bergman pitching, his high school baseball team from P.S. # 91, defeated P.S. # 115 to win the Baltimore City Championship in 1934. He was also a member of Baltimore's "Easterwood Boys", a youth group associated with Easterwood Park. In 1936, Bergman played in the 1936 PAL Newspost American Softball Tournament.
After graduating from Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
High School, Bergman played semi-professional softball for teams sponsored by the Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
Company. In 1940, his pitching earned his team the Baltimore City Amateur Softball Championship. The 1930s were still Depression years, and to earn extra money to help his widowed mother, Fannie Bloom, Bergman joined the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
(CC). Bergman worked on clearing swamps and building roads and highways. While in the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
, Bergman competed as an amateur lightweight boxer. He compiled an undefeated record of 9-0 (9 knockouts) which included a bout with Tony LaPonte. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
, Bergman worked as an aircraft riveter prior to entering the United States military.
World War II service
Bergman joined the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on 19 March 1943. He completed his basic training at Fort Meade, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. His military occupational specialty and number was: Rifleman 745. On August 20, 1943, Bergman was shipped overseas to the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division (made famous by Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
), the 30th Infantry Division, and the "Blue Devils" of the 88th Infantry Division. In Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
's autobiography, To Hell and Back, Murphy mentions a soldier named Bergman, but it's unclear if he meant Hyman Bergman.
As an infantry sergeant,Bergman was in fierce combat in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. His campaigns and battles included Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
-Foggia
Foggia
Foggia is a city and comune of Apulia, Italy, capital of the province of Foggia. Foggia is the main city of a plain called Tavoliere, also known as the "granary of Italy".-History:...
, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
-Arno
Arno
The Arno is a river in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the most important river of central Italy after the Tiber.- Source and route :The river originates on Mount Falterona in the Casentino area of the Apennines, and initially takes a southward curve...
(January 22 to September 9, 1944), North Appennines(September 10, 1944 to April 4, 1945), and Po Valley
Po Valley
The Po Valley, Po Plain, Plain of the Po, or Padan Plain is a major geographical feature of Italy. It extends approximately in an east-west direction, with an area of 46,000 km² including its Venetic extension not actually related to the Po River basin; it runs from the Western Alps to the...
(April 5 to May 8, 1945).Bergman fought at Volterra
Volterra
Volterra, known to the ancient Etruscans as Velathri, to the Romans as Volaterrae, is a town and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy.-History:...
against the German's 90th Panzer Grenadier Division, and at Magnacavallo
Magnacavallo
Magnacavallo is a comune in the Province of Mantua in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 170 km southeast of Milan and about 45 km southeast of Mantua....
against the 305th German Infantry (commanded by Major General Von Schellwitz). Also, he saw action at Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
, Arno River, Belvedere, Brenner Pass
Brenner Pass
- Roadways :The motorway E45 leading from Innsbruck via Bolzano to Verona and Modena uses this pass, and is one of the most important north-south connections in Europe...
, Cassino
Cassino
Cassino is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.Cassino is located at the foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Rapido and Liri rivers...
, Della Tombe, Furcoli Ridge, Frasinetto, Gothic Line
Gothic Line
The Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...
, Hill 497 (above Furcoli), Monterumici Highway 64 sector, Mt. la Fine, Mt. Cerrere, Palaia
Palaia
Palaia is a comune in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 45 km southwest of Florence and about 30 km southeast of Pisa....
, Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, Po Valley
Po Valley
The Po Valley, Po Plain, Plain of the Po, or Padan Plain is a major geographical feature of Italy. It extends approximately in an east-west direction, with an area of 46,000 km² including its Venetic extension not actually related to the Po River basin; it runs from the Western Alps to the...
, Roncolla, Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
, Sassaleone, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Volturno River, Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
and Vicenza
Vicenza
Vicenza , a city in north-eastern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, straddling the Bacchiglione...
.
Bronze Star Medal
By direction of the President of the United States, under provisions of Executive Order 9419, February 4, 1944 (Sec. II, WD Bul. 3, 1944), a Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
is awarded to Sergeant (then Private First Class) Hyman Bergman, 30th Infantry, for exemplary conduct in ground combat against the armed enemy during the Naples-Foggia Campaign in the Mediterranean. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: /t/ Alfred E. Bonnwell, Adjutant General.
Combat Infantryman Badge
Bergman was awarded the Combat Infantryman BadgeCombat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
in 1944, his citation reads:
Headquarters Thirtieth Infantry APO # 3, Special Orders Number 147,EXTRACT 26 October 1944:UP WD Cir #186, 1944, VOCO dates indicated, the following named EM, former members of this organization, are awarded the COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy: Pfc Hyman Bergman, 1 January 1944 by order of Colonel McGarr
Silver Star Medal
Hank Bergman was awarded the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for gallantry in action. His citation reads:
June 13, 1945, Headquarters 88th Infantry Division, US Army, APO # 88, General Orders, Number 75: Award of the Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
: Hyman Bergman, Sergeant, (then private), Company "B", 349th Infantry Regiment. For gallantry in action on April 15, 1945, near Furcoli, Italy. Sergeant Bergman displayed outstanding gallantry in attacking German positions while exposed in hostile fire. When Company "B" attacked Furcoli Ridge, the enemy was firmly entrenched in caves. As Sergeant Bergman's platoon advanced, the intensity of the fire became so terrific that the platoon was unable to move. Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Bergman made his way forward alone, hostile fire cutting about him and shells bursting close by. Near the machine gun emplacement, he poured his fire into the dugout, killing one of the enemy, wounding and driving the others away in disorder. By his fearlessness in extreme danger and intrepid leadership, Sergeant BERGMAN destroyed the German machine gun position and enabled his platoon to advance. His gallant action has won the praise of his fellow soldiers and has reflected the fighting traditions of the American infantry soldier. Entered military service from Baltimore, Maryland. BY COMMAND OF GENERAL KENDALL. W.J.Zerger, Major, A.G.D., Asst. Adj. Gen., R.J. McBride, Colonel, G.S.C., Chief of Staff.
Po Valley
According to an article by Sargent Marvin Posner, U.S. Army Infantry, who served with the "Blue Devils" of the 88th Infantry Division, and the 10th Mountain Division10th Mountain Division
The 10th Mountain Division is a light infantry division of the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. It is a subordinate unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the only division-sized element of the U.S. Army to specialize in fighting under harsh terrain and weather conditions...
, Posner was in Italy's Po Valley
Po Valley
The Po Valley, Po Plain, Plain of the Po, or Padan Plain is a major geographical feature of Italy. It extends approximately in an east-west direction, with an area of 46,000 km² including its Venetic extension not actually related to the Po River basin; it runs from the Western Alps to the...
hunkered down in a foxhole while shells and bullets whistled all around; "Suddenly, someone jumped into the foxhole, finger on the pin of a grenade, and landed on Marvin's shoulders.It was Hank Bergman, a member of the Easterwood Boys, friend of the Jackson Club guys and a neighbor. " What the hell are you doing here?" questioned Hank when he recognized Marvin. Hank had been ordered by his captain to take out a German machine gun nest about 15 yards atop a knob. Still holding the grenade pin, Hank jumped off Marvin's shoulders, crawled on his belly and headed for the right flank while Marvin attempted to distract the Germans' attention. They were fighting for their lives against a superior weapon-the fastest machine gun in the world used by the Germans that could replace an empty barrel in one-fifth of one second just by a flip of the lever. Marvin killed one German manning the machine gun. A loud bang was heard. A grenade thrown by Hank, a former baseball pitcher, destroyed the enemy's machine gun nest."
Military medals and awards
Bergman was awarded the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, the Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
, World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, American Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
, the Good Conduct Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
, Honorable Service Lapel Button,Honorable Discharge Emblem, Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Component Bar, Cold War Recognition Certificate
Cold War Recognition Certificate
The Cold War Recognition Certificate was a recognition certificate awarded by the Secretary of Defense to all U.S. Armed Forces personnel and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War era, which is defined as...
, Division Citation (not individual)349th Infantry Regiment (88th Infantry Division):Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with Palm, 4 Overseas Service Bar
Overseas Service Bar
An Overseas Service Bar is an accoutrement of the United States Army dress uniform which is displayed as an embroidered gold bar worn horizontally on the right sleeve of the Class A uniform and the Army Service Uniform...
s ("Hershey"), and the Presidential Memorial Certificate
Presidential Memorial Certificate
A Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President of the United States, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans....
. Bergman was a veteran of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
Post War years
Hank Bergman's place of separation from the service was at Fort Jackson, South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. After he received his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, he attended college on the G.I. Bill.
Following his return to Baltimore, Bergman was approached by the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and asked to run for political office. However, he decided to seek a career in education instead.
Bergman married his wife Anne, and the couple moved to Miami Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, where Hank graduated from the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
with a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1952. Later, he earned Masters and Specialist Degrees in Education from Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University, commonly referred to as NSU or Nova, is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, research university located in Broward County, Florida, with its main campus in the town of Davie...
. Bergman was a 6th grade elementary school teacher for 32 years, and was a 20-year member of the UTD (United Teachers of Dade County). He taught for 2 years in the Baltimore school system, and for 30 years at Central Beach and Leroy D. Fienberg Elementary Schools (Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a public school district serving Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1885, it is the largest school district in Florida and the Southeastern United States, and the fourth largest in the United States, with a student enrollment of 380,006 as of July 5, 2010...
).
Bergman's hobby was chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
. In the 1960s, he became an avid player and was a 30 year member of the Miami Beach Chess Club. On Saturday, May 11, 1968, at the Miami Beach Chess Club in Miami Beach, Florida, Bergman defeated Anthony Santasiere
Anthony Santasiere
Anthony Edward Santasiere was an American chess master. Santasiere was a high school mathematics teacher by profession. His hobbies included creative writing and oil painting.-Chess career:...
in a simultaneous exhibition
Simultaneous exhibition
A simultaneous exhibition or simultaneous display is a board game exhibition in which one player plays multiple games at a time with a number of other players. Such an exhibition is often referred to simply as a "simul".In a regular simul, no chess clocks are used...
, with Santasiere playing against 21 opponents. Santasiere, had defeated future world chess champion Bobby Fischer
Bobby Fischer
Robert James "Bobby" Fischer was an American chess Grandmaster and the 11th World Chess Champion. He is widely considered one of the greatest chess players of all time. Fischer was also a best-selling chess author...
in 1957. Santasiere scored 12 victories, three draws
Draw (chess)
In chess, a draw is when a game ends in a tie. It is one of the possible outcomes of a game, along with a win for White and a win for Black . Usually, in tournaments a draw is worth a half point to each player, while a win is worth one point to the victor and none to the loser.For the most part,...
, four defaults, and lost to Hank Bergman and Irving Lynch.
From 1973 to 2010, Bergman trained his son, Sherman Bergman in boxing and kickboxing. The younger Bergman posted a 17-4-0 (17 knockouts) amateur boxing record, and a 62-8-1 (60 knockouts) kickboxing record.
In 1980, Bergman wrote an article entitled: It Happened To Me, for Soldier of Fortune Magazine; recalling his experiences on Furcoli Ridge in which his actions earned him the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
Medal.
Hank Bergman lived with his wife and son in retirement in the North Beach section of Miami Beach, Florida, and was active in community service.
Bergman became involved with the pop-tab recycling campaign to support the Ronald McDonald House in Miami, Florida. The McDonald House provides comfort, support, and housing to families that have seriously ill children being treated in area hospitals. According to three Miami Herald newspaper reports, since 2004, Bergman personally collected over 25,000 pop-tabs to aid the campaign.
Death
On June 1, 2010, the day after Memorial DayMemorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
, in Miami, Florida, Hyman "Hank" Bergman died suddenly and unexpectedly while being treated in a local hospital following a brief illness. Bergman's funeral services were held on June 7 with full-military honors. His interment was at Lakeside Memorial Park in the Garden of Heroes (Miami, Florida). On October 12, 2010, Bergman was issued a Presidential Memorial Certificate
Presidential Memorial Certificate
A Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President of the United States, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans....
signed by the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Honored in Miami
Bergman was honored on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 in a service at his former school, Fienberg-Fisher Elementary. A plaque in his name was dedicated in the school's Garden of Heroes, and rests before the World War II Memorial Soldier Statue. Over 400 guests attended including Congresswoman Ileana Ros-LehtinenIleana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1989. She is a member of the Republican Party....
, Miami Beach Police Chief Carlos Noriega, Assistant Police Chief Raymond Martinez, Principals Shirley Velasco (Miami Beach Adult), Maria Zabala (Fienberg Elementary), and Rosann Sidener (Miami Beach High), along with honor guards from the Miami Beach Police Department and the Junior ROTC of Miami Beach High School.
Bergman was also remembered in the Miami Herald on Veteran's Day, November 11.