Embedded Files
Diary
Kermit Brekke Leather Journal Diary
Leather, Paper, Gold paint
1943
2009.015.002
Kermit Brekke was born in Trempealeau Country in 1919 and grew up in Blair, WI. He enlisted in 1942 at the age of 23 and trained in Oregon. In February of 1943, Evelyn Myrtle Brekke gave the diary to Kermit while visiting him. They married outside the base on April 15th, 1943. It is unknown why entries stopped as only about a month of daily life was recorded from this point on. Troops were sent there to fight off the Axis powers such as Egypt and Libya. Soldiers also landed in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia to remove the stranglehold the Axis powers had in North Africa. Brekke was then sent to the “The Eastern Front” to push back German troops north out of Italy. In 1945, after the war ended, he returned home to a farm in Blair and to his wife Evelyn.
Additional Army Documents. . .
Additional Army Documents. . .
Kermit served with the Headquarters Company, 3rd battalion, 363rd combat regiment, and 91st infantry division. He started off as a rifleman and then was trained in radio communications. While he was away, his wife documented his journey by saving his papers and newspaper clippings of where he was stationed. The following photos courtesy of the La Crosse Historical Society, are from Evelyn's scrapbook and include photos of his enlistment, training documents, and the journey he was embarking on when he was sent overseas.
Photo courtesy of La Crosse Historical Society
Other Stories From Those Who Served. . .
Interview: Edward Wojahn Reflects on His Experiences Throughout the War
Interview: Edward Wojahn Reflects on His Experiences Throughout the War
In an interview by Jason Harelson from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Oral History Program, Edward Wojahn reflects on his experiences serving in the United States Army from February 1943 to November 1945. Wojahn also reflects on his surrender, experiences as a prisoner of war, as well as his liberation and return to U.S. custody.
Warning - content within this interview may be hard to hear. Please proceed with caution.
Listening Points:
00:20 - 41:00 - Edward Wojahn's complete experience serving in the U.S. Army during the war.
00:20 - 01:10 - Wojahn's experience being drafted into the Army.
01:10 - 06:00 - Wojahn's experience in Army camps within the U.S.
06:00 - 41:00 - Wojahn's experience serving in the Army overseas.
25:45 - 35:30 - Wojahn's experience as a prisoner of war.
Interview courtesy of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Oral History Program.
Interview: Bernard Medinger Looks Back on His Service in World War II
Interview: Bernard Medinger Looks Back on His Service in World War II
In an interview conducted by Deon Michels from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Bernard Medinger analyzes his service in the United States Army during World War II.
Warning - content within this interview may be hard to hear. Please proceed with caution.
Listening Points:
00:50 - 39:40 - Bernard Medinger's complete account of his experience serving in the Army throughout the war.
00:50 - 01:20 - Medinger's experience being drafted into the Army.
03:10 - 05:45 - Medinger's experience in Army camps within the U.S.
05:45 - 39:40 - Medinger's experience serving overseas.
Interview courtesy of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Oral History Program.
Kayla Price, Lauren Brewer, Margaret Hansen, Missy Winter, Wyatt Molling
Created Spring 2022
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