Paul Bergmann Marine Corps 1970-1974 E-5 Sergeant

Biography of Paul Bergmann by Cale Buchholz and Candice Bowlin

When asked the question, “What do you want my generation to know?” Veteran Paul Bergmann replied, “Respect the people who made this country free.” Paul Bergmann, Candice Bowlin's grandfather, is a Marine who served to help keep our country free, and we are honored to tell his story.

Paul was born on August 14th, 1952, in Beloit where his childhood was spent. His family was large with four brothers and three sisters. His mother was a great cook and his father was in the Army. Long after Paul’s father came home from his service, Paul’s brother Richard joined the Army as well. In Paul’s youth, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

School was something Paul enjoyed. He attended Saint John's in Beloit, and he was a good student. When he came home after school, he worked in his garden with a potato fork. Paul graduated from St. John's High School in 1970.

Paul decided to enlist in the Marines on May 24th in 1970, as he had been thinking of joining earlier in his life. He stated, “I wanted to make the country better and protect our life, liberty, and freedom.”

The first camp Paul went to was Camp Pendleton in California. The first day at camp he slept on actual bed springs instead of a mattress. The camp was rough, and there was much physical training. Paul was trained for artillery. After he finished his basic training, he was then sent to subcamp at Camp Las Pulgas, California. After that, he went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for FADAC (Field Artillery Digital Automatic Computer) training.

For the conditions in the Marines, the food was good. Paul got to play cards, and he slept in either a tent or a dorm. The main rule he had to follow was to listen to instructions. The hours he trained were from dusk until dawn. The weather was just about every variation except for snow; it was hot, humid, and windy.

After Paul’s training, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, and Hong Kong. His job was artillery, which included the tasks of cleaning the guns and guard duty. During this time his commanding officers were strict and authoritative leaders.

Paul experienced many different feelings in the Marines. Something sad Paul experienced was watching the troop mascot dog being run over. He enjoyed being on a ship and playing football though. The exhausting part was a twenty-five-mile-long run. During leave he would often visit his parents and siblings at home and go horseback riding, as well as fishing. His mom would make fried chicken when he was home, since it was Paul’s favorite. He once went to a USO show; he did not meet anyone famous but heard good music.

After Paul’s tour ended, he lived in Downs, Cawker City, and Beloit. Paul worked as a pork packer at his first job and later worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. After that career, he worked at Carrico Implement. He is now retired.

After Paul returned home, he moved to Downs. He also met his wife Nancy in the park and married her on December 29th, 1973. They are still married and have been blessed with four sons, thirteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Nowadays, Paul likes fishing, hunting, and junking (which is collecting scraps from old farmsteads.)

To Paul, freedom means, “no wars between our country and others; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Paul served so that others would be able to enjoy this idea of freedom.

We appreciate Paul, his service, and his story.