Bernard W. Gross

Vietnam War

Bernard “Bernie” Gross was born at Earling, IA on March 7, 1936, to William and Loretta (Freund) Gross. He grew up near Earling and graduated from St. Joseph High School in Earling with the class of 1954.

In November, 1956, Bernie was inducted into the US Army and was assigned serial number 17 469 272. He was sent to Fort Chaffee, AR for basic training and was a member of Battery C, 1st Battalion of the 20th Field Artillery Training Regiment. By March 19, 1957, Bernie had completed basic and advanced training at Fort Chaffee. He remained there for more training and was in Command Class No. 217 of the 1st Student Battalion Special School.

By May 28, 1957, Bernie had completed training and was assigned to the 82nd Transportation Company of the 37th Transportation Highway Transport Command. This unit was sent to Europe as part of the NATO force to deter Soviet aggression during the Cold War. On August 16, 1957, headquarters were established at Samac, France (near Orleans). Bernie remained in France for the remainder of his enlistment. By November, 1958, his two-year commitment was complete and he was discharged from the US Army.

Bernie was employed in Omaha and also attending Omaha University. There he met Marlene Kalkhoff from Templeton. Marlene had graduated from Sacred Heart High School with the class of 1956 and was a nurse in Omaha. Marlene and Bernie were married at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton on July 18, 1964. By 1969, the couple had moved to Cedar Rapids, IA and Bernie completed an associate degree in electrical engineering from Kirkwood Community College. He later completed a bachelor’s degree from Mount Mercy College.

Bernie’s career included working for Amana Refrigeration, Quaker Oats and the Federal Court House in Cedar Rapids before retiring in 2001. He died in Cedar Rapids on June 29, 2014 at age 78. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.