World War II Honoree

Leland J. Bierk

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Los Angeles, California

Honored By

R.C. Litzsinger

Relationship

Nephew

HE STARTED OUT AS A PRIVATE IN THE ARMY, COMPANY 160TH INFANTRY (RIFLE) BASED AT CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA AND WAS GIVEN AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE 15 AUGUST 1941 FOR A PHYSICAL DISABILITY. HE REGAINED HIS HEALTH AND WAS RE-ENLISTED AND AGAIN ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AT FORT MACARTHUR, CALIFORNIA ON 7 OCTOBER 1943. HE SERVED AS A BASIC INFANTRY PRIVATE AND QUALIFIED AS A SHARPSHOOTER. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 495 ENGINEERS, HEAVY SHOP COMPANY, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS. HE WAS A TRUCK DRIVER AND A WELDER AND WORKED REPAIRING TRUCKS AND OTHER MILITARY EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF REPAIR. WHILE STATIONED ON LUZON HE BUILT A COMPLETE COOK STOVE FOR HIS UNIT DURING HIS OFF-DUTY HOURS. HE CONCLUDED HIS SERVICE WITH THE MILITARY POLICE SERVING AT THE RANK OF SERGEANT AND SERVING AS SERGEANT OF THE GUARD. HIS END OF SERVICE DATE FROM THE ARMY WAS ON 17 AUGUST 1946, AT CAMP BEALE, CALIFORNIA. HE EARNED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.