Bernard Bleiberg

Bernard “Bernie” Bleiberg, born November 10, 1942, in Wilmington, Delaware, was a salesman, insurance agent, and part-time comedian and M.C.

Early Life

Family

Bernard was born in Wilmington, Delaware on November 10, 1942, to Jennie Beckman (3/10/1890 to 9/30/1973) and Mayer Bleiberg (8/15/1879 to 1/20/1928). Bernard’s mother emigrated from Poland and, following Mayer’s death, remarried a man named Louis Gilman. Mayer Bleiberg was a merchant who had a stall on King Street. Mayer was born in Austria and came to the United States around 1900. According to The Evening Journal of 1928, Mayer, “…had a stall in Second Street Market House and later removed to the King Street address.” The article goes on to state that, “Mr. Bleiberg was a member of the Hebrew Charity Association, the B’rith, The Covenant Club, the Adas Kodesch Synagogue and the Synagogue at Third and Shipley Streets.”

Prior to his marriage to Jennie Beckman, Mayer Bleiberg had been wed to Esther Gasser (c. 1881 to 10/6/1918). Esther had emigrated to the US from Austria/Hungary and she and Mayer had seven children, Bernard’s half-siblings. They were as follows: Isadore Herman, Rebecca (Betty/Becky), Celia, Rachael, Leon Louis, Carl, Melvin J., and Jacob. In 1918 Esther succumbed to the Spanish flu and, the following year, Mayer was remarried to Jennie on May 18, 1919. In 1921 they welcomed Bernard.

As a child, Bernard and his family lived at 212 Walnut Street in Wilmington.

Education and War Years

Bernard graduated from H. Fletcher Brown Vocational School. According to his World War II draft card dated October 26, 1942, Bernard was employed as a Salesman at the Sunray Drug Co., 5th & Market Streets, Wilmington, DE. However, on his marriage certificate at the same time he listed his occupation as “shipfitter” and his employment as “Shipbuilding.” He enlisted in the Army on December 29 of that same year in Camden, New Jersey. His armed service serial number was 32485473.

Among his training grounds were Camp Carson, Colorado Springs, CO, and Camp Maxie, Paris, TX. His unit in the army was Company C, 1269th Engineers, C Battery, and he obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. His theater of operation was Europe with a stay in London, England. His brothers, Carl (US Army Air Corp) and Leon (Army) served as well.

Like many military wives, Bernie’s wife, Florence (Flo) Beatrice Bader Bleiberg, followed him to Colorado and Texas in order to be near him. They were newlyweds, having married October 11, 1942 in Wilmington, Delaware. They spent as much time together as possible before he served overseas. Bernard Bleiberg was honorably discharged on February 3, 1946.

Dear Mollye Collection Letters

There were three letters to Mollye Sklut in Bernie’s file that survive today. One was printed in the Y Recorder and two were V-Mail that were not printed. They are transcribed here:

1. of letters in Mollye collection: 3

April 9, 1943, to February 5, 1945

Printed in the Y Recorder, April 9, 1943:

Page 4:

Dear Mollye­

You'll probably be more surprised to hear from me than if you could get twenty pounds of sugar without any coupons. I will endeavor to relate to you everything that has transpired — first Fort Dix. Arrived in a downpour that was fit only for a soldier. We then were given a bottle of milk and a sandwich - just a snack before supper which was, I was later to learn, nine hours later. They gave us raincoats ­ from then on our bodies were kept dry from our thighs up. From down, we got what I termed "A Jersey Mud Pack." From Dix to Camp Carson, Colorado, (I won’t bore you with details of the "Lousy Hands" I held in Poker on the way out). They started to wake us up so early we could comment on what a beautiful evening it was. The Colonel, gave us what the Army terms Close Order Drill ­ you know, left face, right face, ten hut and all that sort of thing. From Close Order, we went to extended order from extended order some went A. W. O. L. "Things" got tougher and one morning I woke up to find my chest, what I thought was swollen, but it turned out that the various hikes, calisthenics, drills, etc., had slowly pushed my "gut" up where it should have been in the first place. My speed is being developed to the point where I'll be able to run so fast, that it'll make "Peany" Berger look slow when he's running to the "Coffin" Corner for a shot. I’m learning to run so swiftly by "Toting" a 200 lb. bruiser on my back, 75 yds. in 45 seconds. Of course, as Mom always says "Biz den, Hitler vet arahn nehmen a Meesa Meshina" (or somethin'). Therefore, nothing less than a miracle can get me advanced, but ­ who knows?

The training and teaching soldiers get is incredible, for example: Pvt. Crez, a former "Guy" from the Kentucky Hills (he trudged for 4 days and nites to get to his Draft Board) was taught that this G. I. tooth brush was for his teeth and not to clean his rifle with ­ Pvt. Gart, also from "Vehsich Vee" was finally convinced the toilet seat was not a G. I. rupture frame for his families "Group Picture". Innumerable incidents could be related.

Mollye, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to ALL concerned for the useful gift I received - when one realizes people at home think of him, he also realizes "Those are the People he wants to fight for."

I also want to thank Mr. Sollod for his letter even if I never have to use it.

Bernie Bleiberg

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V-MAIL to Mollye Sklut: January 3, 1945

Dearest Mollye,

My greatest concern is no longer!! Mendel can’t call me a USO Commando — Our [censored] at sea, and I’ve had dinner with the Captain 8 times — the “old salt” was seasick last nite, so I don’t feel rite eating in his quarters—

Seriously tho’, I wish I could relate the good, bad, & indifferent things ‘bout this voyage … but you know these censors!!!

I know you’ll think me odd or sompin’, maybe, but I don’t want any of my letters put into the “Y” Recorder — explanation upon my return — please don’t be angry with me —

And listen, I put “dearest” in my heading ‘cause I meant it – not cause I want you should forgive me for not writin’ long ago!! Fondest regards to everyone, Bernie

[Bernard Bleiberg]

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V-MAIL to Mollye Sklut: February 5, 1945 England Dear Mollye,

Extremely grateful for your prompt replay – I now take for granted, that you never were really angry with me —

Military precaution prevents me from writing of my trip, but it was peaceful, & very uneventful – As for England, you probably have learned, from fellows here before me, all that could be said rite now – perhaps, upon my return, I’ll be able to tell you more – I hope I don’t sound misleading. We have everything except a few conveniences, that we had in the states – and I’m afraid, as Mendel put it, I’m still a “USO Commando”—

It is very cold tonite! The coldest we’ve spent in England. But we have fairly comfortable barracks, and they are warm - -

My reason for the “ban” as you put it, will have to be explained when I see you – but if you want to print my letters in the Recorder, go head – I consider it a privilege to be a part of a most noble work, which is all your doing—

I trust to God this letter finds you well & happy – I’m in the best of health, & as happy as can be expected—

I’ll close with fondest regards to everyone—

Please pen a prompt replay to “Bernie”

Cheerio,

Bernie [Bernard Bleiberg]

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Later Life

Bernard Bleiberg

Following the war, Bernard and Florence began their life at 165 Cedar Street in Wilmington. On November 23, 1946 they had their first child, a son named Paul Richard Bleiberg. Bernie was then working as a salesman for The Prudential Life Insurance Company. On June 28, 1950, their daughter Mardian Bleiberg was born. By 1955 they had moved to 611 W. 38th Street in Wilmington. Eventually they moved to 203 DuPont Circle, Villa Monterey in Wilmington. His son Paul married Judith “Peggy” Beth Anflick and his daughter, Maridan, married Gilbert Allen Berman.

Death

Bernard died April 11, 1977 of an apparent heart attack while visiting his son, Paul, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was buried in the Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Section of the Jewish Community Cemetery on Foulk Road, Wilmington, Delaware. In his obituary in The News Journal of April 13, 1977, was written, “Mr. Bleiberg was an insurance agent but was probably best known as an emcee and comic on the banquet circuit. He started in the after-dinner comedy business about 18 years ago and would fracture funny bones with such bits as portraying himself as ‘Kelley Greenblatt, Israel’s first football coach.’ Mr. Bleiberg, a Jew, in the character of Greenblatt, would say, with a heavy Jewish accent, ‘Probably the biggest problem we have with the wonderful game of football is that it is played with a pigskin.’” It goes on to say, “He was also an active member of the athletic council committee of St. Helena’s Catholic Church in Claymont, where he worked their annual carnival benefits.”

Mr. Bleiberg’s widow, Florence, passed away on April 3, 2012, and was buried beside her husband at the Jewish Community Center Cemetery on Foulk Road in Wilmington, Delaware.

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Last Name: Bleiberg
First Name: Bernard
Middle Initial/Name:
Nickname:

Birthdate: November 10, 1921
Birthplace: Wilmington, New Castle Co., DE, USA

Wilmington Residence: In 1942 lived at 711 South DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE

High School: H. Fletcher Brown Vocational School
Secondary School:

Civilian Occupation Prior to Service: Salesman, Sunray Drug Co., 5th & Market Streets, Wilmington, DE.

Branch of Armed Services: Army
Armed Services Serial Number: 32485473
Service Duration: December 29, 1942 to Feb 3, 1946

Training Grounds/Domestic Locations: Camp Carson, Colorado Springs, CO; Camp Maxie, Paris, TX

Unit(s): Company C, 1269th Engineers, C Battery

Rank(s): Staff Sgt.

Theater(s) of Operation: Europe

Locations: London

Campaigns/Battles:

Military Occupation/Specialty:

Awards/Honors:

Memorials:

Of Interest: Contains letters written by wife Florence on Bernie's behalf and letters from Bernard;

Delaware Connection: Carl and Leon Bleiberg (his brothers)

Discharge Date: Feb 3, 1946
Where Returned:
Did Not Return:

Death Date: April 11, 1977
Death Place: Greensboro, Guilford, NC
Death Cause:
Place of Burial: Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth section of the Jewish Community Center, Foulk Rd, Wilmington, DE

Photo: Yes

First Letter to Mollye: 04/09/1943
Last Letter to Mollye: 02/05/1945
Number of Folders in Mollye Collection: 3
Y Recorder link(s):

Delawares WWII Fallen Profile:

Oral History Interview(s):

Later Work: Insurance agent. Also, part-time emcee and comedian. Active member of Athletic Committee of St. Helena’s Catholic Church, Claymont, Delaware.

Date of Marriage: October 11, 1942
Spouse Name: Florence Beatrice Bader Bleiberg
Spouse Nickname: Flo
Spouse Birthdate: July 21, 1922
Spouse Birthplace: Wilmington, DE
Spouse Death Date: April 3, 2012
Spouse Death Place: Wilmington, DE

Name(s) of Children: Paul Richard Bleiberg; Mardian Bleiberg Berman

Survivors/Relation:

Father's Name: Mayer Bleiberg
Mother's Name: Jennie Beckman Bleiberg (later Gilman)

Birthplace of Father: Austria/Hungary
Birthplace of Mother: Austria/Hungary

Sources:

CITATIONS

PROFILE