Info/Pictures received from; Shirley Kreft

Born: 8 February 1924    Place: Youngstown, OH

Died:  15 April 2015      Place: Youngstown, OH

Buried: Cremated

1st Wife: Marie Bertch (Antonucci)  Married: 3 February 1951

2nd Wife: Esther Bertch (Schultz -Ward)  Married: 1 January 1985

Step-Children: Richard and Janet

Father: Frank Bertch    Mother: Charlotte Bertch (Moore)

Siblings: Marion, Rita, Thomas and Frank

Awards

      Purple Heart  -  WWII Victory Medal - American Campaign Medal

European African Middle Eastern Service Medal

Battle Stars"Ardennes-Rhineland "

Prisoner of War Ribbon

On 23 December 1944 in The Battle of the Bulge, John was captured by the Germans (Baraque de Fraiture) close to the German/Belgium border. He and other prisoners were transported to Stalag XI-B at Fallingbostel, Germany. The Camp was liberated by British Troops on 16 April 1945.

Camp Stalag XI-B

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