Pfc. Harry R. Berkheimer
35916475
A Battery, 324th Field Artillery Battalion, 83rd Infantry Division
June 10, 1925 - August 20, 2020
Pfc. Harry R. Berkheimer
35916475
E company, 331st Infantry Regiment
83rd Infantry Division
Awards and decorations
Biography and Wartime Service
Harry Richard Berkheimer was born on June 10, 1925 in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Charlotte Belle Walters and Harry James Berkheimer. He enlisted on September 17, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio
Harry Berkheimer was stationed at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky when he left the US for England and the ETO.
Harry's memorable experiences: First, 'About half-way across the channel, the landing craft began breaking in half. With engine and anchor gone, the drifted and finally, by jumping from one piece of wreckage to another, we made it to the beach'. Second, A manmade earthquake shook them up when 3000 bombers bombed the German lines outside St. Lo.
Pfc. Harry Berkheimer was discharged on December 30, 1945. His older brother Jim served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy and his younger brother Harold in the Army of Occupation in Germany.
After the war Harry Berkheimer married Valda I Towner (1926-2001) in 1947. Harry was an elementary school teacher. After reired on a small farm in Independence, Oregon. Harry Richard Berkheimer died on August 20, 2020, when he was 95 years old. He was preceded by his wife Valda.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ralph Rogers at the 75th Anual Reunion of the 83rd Division Association August 2022. An absolute honor to have known him.
Gallery
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