Title: Paul K. Bergmann Papers and Photographs
Inclusive Dates: 1942-1952

Creator:

• Bergmann, Paul K.

Call Number: WVM Mss 689

Quantity: 0.4 linear ft. (1 archives box and 1 oversized folder) of papers, 0.1 linear ft. (5 folders) of photographs.

Repository:

Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Have questions? Contact the Reference Archivist

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Veterans Museum (Map)

See the catalog entry for current shelf locations and additions.

Abstract:

Papers and photographs of Paul Bergmann, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., who served as a 1st lieutenant with the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), also known as Merrill's Marauders, during World War II, and also served during the Korean War. The collection includes papers and photographs pertaining to his service in both wars. Manuscripts include correspondence, service records, training materials, souvenirs, and some materials pertaining to Bergmann's veteran activities. Correspondence consists of letters written by Bergmann to his cousin, Bill Seizer, while Bergmann was serving in World War II. The letters cover Bergmann's training, serving as a jungle warfare instructor in Trinidad, his participation as a member of Merrill's Marauders, and his stateside service until the close of the war. The letters discuss Bergmann's daily activities, his desire to hear of news from home, instructions to his cousin to remain a civilian, and some discussion of his combat experiences. Other manuscripts are comprised mainly of military papers that include service records, training materials, certificates, and his service 201 file for both wars. Of interest are souvenirs he sent home to his cousin that include matchbooks, humorous anti-Axis materials, and a notebook Bergmann took from a dead Japanese soldier. Other manuscripts include a typed account of his service with Merrill's Marauders, and materials related to the Merrill's Marauders Association. Photographs include images of mountain training, the 1947 Merrill's Marauders reunion, war-time images of soldiers, and a portrait of Bergmann.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.wvm-mss00689

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Paul Karl Bergmann was born on May 14, 1919 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He served in the Army during World War II. After the war, he entered the inactive Reserves and was called to active duty during the Korean War. He settled in Milwaukee, Wis. after his Army discharge.

In the early part of World War II, Bergmann served as an instructor at Jungle Warfare School in Trinidad. As a result of this experience, he was assigned to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) which came to be called Merrill's Marauders after their leader. He served in the Green combat team of the 2nd Battalion. Bergmann's first campaigns were in Burma where his unit was constantly under heavy fire. Bergmann was one of only 651 original members of the unit who helped to take the Myitkyima airfield.

After suffering a service-related illness, Bergmann returned to the United States. He spent some time in the hospital before being assigned as an instructor to Texas. He later served in combat during the Korean War.

The papers of Paul Bergmann are divided into two series: Papers and Photographs.

Papers (1936-1989) consist mainly of correspondence and military papers. The letters written by Bergmann to his cousin, Bill Seizer, span between 1942 and 1945, with the majority being written after June 1944. Letters from 1942 and 1943 cover Bergmann's time in basic training and officer school, along with his time serving as an instructor of jungle warfare tactics in Trinidad. Letters pertaining to his service with Merrill's Marauders begin with a letter dated January 4, 1944, in which he informs his cousin that he won't be able to write for some time. Letters pick up again on June 4, 1944, in which he informs his cousin that he was on maneuvers with the Marauders. His discussions on serving with the Marauders continue through the end of 1944. Letters from 1945 are from his recovery from illness back in the United States. Some letters included souvenirs sent home to Bill. The souvenirs were separated and placed in the souvenir folder in the series, but a record of the letter they were sent in was kept with both the letters and the items when known. The military papers span Bergmann's career in the Army. The bulk are personal military papers. There are 201 Files (1943-1951) which contain general and special orders, medical files, financial records, and official communications. Other military records include certificates, official correspondence, and training materials issued at the Infantry School (Fort Benning). Military correspondence pertains to promotions, regulations, and form letters thanking Bergmann for his role in the service. Of note are items relating to military education including test materials and graduation programs from Trinidad Mobile Force Jungle Warfare School and Fort Benning. A detailed service narrative provides context to the collection and details Bergmann's service in Merrill's Marauders.

Materials relating to the Merriall's Marauders Association include information about the first reunion. There are newspaper clippings about the reunion and picture postcards collected at the reunion. There is also a program for the 43rd Annual Reunion.

Photographs (circa 1940-1947) contain images of training camps, interesting images of mountain training, and pictures of sights in Egypt. There are also individual photos of people who served with Bergmann. Also included are several snapshots of the 1947 Merrill's Marauders Reunion.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Susan Bergmann, Mukwonago, WI, 2000 and 2005. Accession Number: TR1182 and TR1237 and Mss 2005.173.. This collection was organized as a result of the National Historic Publications and Records Commission project grant (2003-075).

Processing Information

Processed by Abigail Miller in 2004.

Processed with additions by Andrew J. Baraniak in 2013.

	Series: Papers
Box   1 Folder   1	Account of service, Merrill's Marauders, undated
Box   1 Folder   2	Certificates, 1942-1947
Box   1 Folder   3-9	Correspondence, to cousin, 1936-1945
Box   1 Folder   10	Military correspondence, 1942-1953
Box   1 Folder   11	Military education
Ov   15 Folder   17	Diplomas, 1947-1948
Box   1 Folder   12	Miscellaneous, 1944
Box   1 Folder   13	Newspaper articles, 1943-1952
Box   1 Folder   14	Service records, 1940-1952
Box   1 Folder   15-16	201 file, 1943-1951
Box   1 Folder   17	Souvenirs, 1942-1945
Box   1 Folder   18	Menus, undated
Box   1 Folder   19	Special orders, 1942-1952
Box   1 Folder   20	Veterans Association, Merrill's Marauders, 1947-1989
	Series: Photographs	⇧
	Subseries: Military service
Ph   12 Folder   9	Egypt [7]
Box   1 Folder   10	Individuals [11]
Box   1 Folder   21	Photocopied images
Ph   12 Folder   11	Portrait [1]
Ph   12 Folder   12	Training [2]
Ph   12 Folder   13	Reunion [5]