Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Bernard “Bernie” Rader. Bernie served during World War II from 1944 through January 1946.

Bernie was drafted into the Army in May 1944 and completed basic training at North Camp Hood, Texas. He went on to complete advanced training to be rifleman at Fort McCain, Mississippi, and served with the 94th Infantry Division, 301st Infantry Regiment, and Company K.

In September 1944, Bernie was deployed to Europe and served alongside Patton’s Third Army in German-occupied France. On Oct. 2, 1944, Bernie was taken prisoner by German forces during an ambushed mission to recover German soldiers believed to be surrendering. He was injured in the attack and was treated at Lorient Hospital while he was held captive. German and Allied forces came to negotiate a trade between their detainees, and Bernie was released after two months under German custody alongside 78 other American soldiers. He was honorably discharged from the military in January 1946.

Bernie was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He went on to finish school at the Community College of New York and became a certified public accountant. Bernard and his wife June currently still live in Freeport, New York; they have three kids and seven grandkids.

Thank you for your service, Bernie!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Graphic By Joanna Specht: Joanna Specht is a student at Black Hawk College with a Major in Visual Communication. 

Topics in this story

Army Veteranbronze starJSPOWworld war ii

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2 Comments

  1. PAUL TENENBAUM March 1, 2018 at 17:26

    FOR MS NATALIE SCHOLANDER,
    I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT BERNARD RADER. HE WAS WITH GENERAL PATTON THIRD ARMY IN EUROPE.
    AS SUCH HE WOULD HAVE PARTICIPATE IN THE LIBERATION OF LUXEMBOURG ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1944.
    I AM VERY INTERESTED IN COMMUNICATING WITH RE THAT TIME.
    I CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AUGUST 1950. I WAS DRAFTED EARLY 1951 AND LANDED IN INCHON LAYER
    THAT YEAR. I WAS INJURED EARLY 1951 AND I AM 100% DISABLED.
    IF BERNARD CAN RECALL HIS STAY OR DRIVING THROUGH LUXEMBOURG ON HIS WAY TO GERMANY I MOST
    DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE HIS EMAIL ADDRESS.
    COULD MS SCHOLANDER HELP ME?
    THANK YOU.
    PAUL TENNBAUM,

  2. Robert Bostic March 1, 2018 at 16:34

    Thanks for your service to Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay Bernard “Bernie” Rader. A World War 2 Veteran and POW

Comments are closed.

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