World War II Honoree

Nesby J. Bergeron

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Basile, Louisiana

Honored By

Henry L. Leger, HonorAir Guardian

JOINED THE U.S. ARMY ON MARCH 22, 1943. AFTER RECRUIT TRAINING, ATTENDED SEVERAL CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION TRAINING SCHOOLS AS PART OF THE ARMY SERVICE FORCES. ON JANUARY 12, 1945 HE DEPARTED FOR THE PACIFIC THEATERS OF OPERATION ONBOARD THE SS ZOELLA LYKES. ARRIVED ON SAIPAN, MARIANA ISLANDS ON JANUARY 20, 1945 AND IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED WITH ROAD AND AIR BASE RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES. BY EARLY APRIL 1945 HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE OKINAWA CAMPAIGN WITH 10TH ARMY COMMAND. ASSIGNED TO THE COMMANDER, CONSTRUCTION TROOPS, WITH THE MISSION OF EXECUTING THE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND ALL THE ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT ON OKINAWA. PARTICIPATED IN ROAD AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING CLEARING ENEMY MINES AND DEMOLITION. REMAINED ON OKINAWA UNTIL FEBRUARY 13, 1946. WHEN HE WAS TRANSFERRED BACK TO THE U.S. ON MARCH 13, 1946 HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE AT CAMP CLAIBORNE, LOUISIANA. AWARDS INCLUDE: GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE CAMPAIGN STARS FOR WESTERN PACIFIC AND RYUKYUS SERVICE, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ARMY OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH JAPAN BAR, AND SHARPSHOOTER BADGE (RIFLE).