World War II Honoree

Bert Mertens Hensick

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Detroit, Michigan

Honored By

Mary Lou Hilton

Relationship

Friend

VOLUNTEERED FOR DRAFT IN NOVEMBER 1943. BOOT CAMP TRAINING AT SAN DIEGO,CALIFORNIA. GRADUATED BOOT CAMP IN FEBRUARY AND RECEIVED ADVANCED TRAINING AS AMPHIBIOUS TRACTOR CREWMAN. SENT OVERSEAS TO PACIFIC OPERATIONS IN JUNE 1944. PARTICIPATED IN AMPHIBIOUS ATTACK ON PELELIU ISLAND. WOUNDED IN ACTION BY SNIPER FIRE ON OCTOBER 14, 1944. AFTER RECEIVING TREATMENT IN VARIOUS PACIFIC HOSPITALS WAS SENT TO SAN DIEGO NAVAL HOSPITAL. HE WAS THEN ASSIGNED TO EXHIBITION LST FOR BOND DRIVE AROUND THE GREAT LAKES, INTO MISSISSIPPI AND OHIO RIVERS, DOWN TO NEW ORLEANS AND INTO FLORIDA. HE WAS DISCHARGED MAY, 1946. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART AND EXPERT MARKSMAN BADGE. HIS UNIT RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION.