Pfc. Leonard Bergeson Back at Italian Front
Pfc. Leonard Bergeson, who was wounded Oct. 21, in action in Italy, is now back at the front according to a letter received here by his wife.
Private Bergeson received the purple heart for wounds received in his side while he was fighting as a member of the armored forces on the north Italian front.
The Webster City serviceman has been in the army since October, 1942.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Nov. 17, 1944
WITH 363RD INFANTRY
Pfc. Leonard M. Bergeson of this city is fighting with the 363rd infantry regiment in the current Florence-Bologna offensive in Italy, according to a report received here from Fifth Army headquarters. This regiment is part of the 91st “Powder River” division and entered combat July 4th north of the Cecina river on the right flank of the 34th “Red Bull” division to which it was then attached. Later the regiment rejoined the 91st at Chianni where it experienced one of its toughest battles. The important Hill 634, four miles southwest of Chianni, was taken by a battalion of the 363rd after the doughboys had undergone a terrific artillery and mortar assault by the enemy. In the decisive battle for Leghorn, a 363rd unit was the first Yank outfit to enter the city. Two other battalions later played an important part in the capture of Pisa, one entering the port city before dawn July 24 and the other one reaching the town that night. Bergeson holds the purple heart for wounds suffered in action.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Jan. 4, 1945
NOTES:
Leonard Martin Bergeson was born June 25, 1914 to Ole Martin and Anna Olson Bergeson. He died May 30, 1994 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Sources: Daily Freeman Journal and ancestry.com
