Passing of PFC Bert W. Zimmerman, 1264 ECB

[bwz1920]

PFC Bert William Zimmerman died April 20, 2015 just 6 weeks short of his 95th birthday. He was a truck driver in Company B. 1264th Engineer Combat Battalion, He was drafted from Fenton, Michigan in April 1944. In 1956 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he worked as a machinist in the aircraft industry. After retiring in 1991, he left the heat of the desert and moved to Coos Bay, Oregon where he lived the remainder of his life. When his son, Air Force Chaplain Donald Zimmerman was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany he returned to Germany for the first time since the war. He visited Bad Godesberg where he helped build the bridge across the Rhine River after the bridge at Remagen fell.

[Walt's Daughter]

I am so sorry to hear this, but grateful that you posted in memory of Bert. I would like to express my condolences to all his family, friends and fellow members of the 1264th.

 

Rest in peace!

[CaptO]

Rest in peace, sir!

[Rosedale]

Thank you so for posting the passing of PFC Bert William Zimmerman. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family & friends.

 

I recently joined this forum, quite delighted to find you all.

 

My Dad was Kenneth Zino [1923-2002]. Ken served as a Sgt in the Army Corps of Engineers in WWII in the 1264th Engineer Combat Battalion, Company B, 1st Squad, 1st Platoon. He was from Rosedale, Queens (Long Island), New York. He did his basic training at Camp Bowie, TX Feb 1943 and was sent to study Engineering at Purdue University in Sept 1943. He served overseas in Europe with the unit, returning home from Antwerp to NYC aboard the William & Mary Victory on 26 Feb 1946.

 

I found photos with his Army papers/photos/items and one includes Bert Zimmerman! This particular group photo has 4 rows with a total of 37 men. "Zimmerman" is in the 1st row, 3rd from the right! I assume this is a photo of Company B 1st Platoon, although I am not sure. It has a list of last names but is not dated or labelled. I will provide the list of names below. Under the list of last names he added a note that said "I was in Brussels" so he is not in the photo. I have a photo he sent his mother from Brussels marked "Three Glorious Days" May 1945 so I'm assuming that is when the group photo was taken. btw, for anyone in the 1264th Company B who has photos, Ken Zino wore wired rimmed glasses, he was thin and ~ 6 ft tall. (I think there were 2 of them with wire rimmed glasses). Over time I will get photos scanned to be able to share.

 

Note too "Jones" below, Sherrill posted a terrific article about his service on a separate thread!

 

=======================================

1st Row - Left to Right

Soboj, Gemma, Spear, White, Dean, Gamble, Zimmerman, Mortensen, Flint

2nd row

Warner, Miller, Jones, Vincent, Lund, Smith, Mancuso, Nap, Poore

3rd row

Ernst, Williams, Miller, Gerling, Bizick, Switzer, Lee, Wright, Breeding,

4th row

Parisi, Karp, Mills, Flynt, Foster, Fox, Brown, DeFiglio, Lucero, Cronin

 

Missing from Photo: Zino (he was in Brussels)

=======================================

 

PS: My Dad saved his "Lance" yearbook from St. Augustine's in Brooklyn, NY. He was Class of 1942. It listed "Camera Club" as one of his activities and he worked on the yearbook. So I guess he was "trained" to write down names on group photos!

 

-barbara

[Walt's Daughter]

Welcome to the forum. I enjoyed your email reply the other day.

 

Ah, for some reason your photos did not post. Can you try again? Many thanks.

[Rosedale]

Marilyn - When I get the photo scanned, I will post it. Sorry for the confusion. -barbara

[Walt's Daughter]

Oh gotcha! Sorry that is my fault, for I read through it very quickly in between outdoor chores today.