Bergstrom

Captain Edward W. Bergstrom

Born December 5th, 1916

Deceased February 9th, 1967

Education-Graduated University of Minnesota, June 1938

Commissioned-12/7/39

Designated Naval Aviator-11/20/39

Chronological USN service:

7/38-8/38 - Elimination flight training, NAS Minneapolis

1/39-12/39 - Aviator cadet, NAS Pensacola

1/40-12/40 - Pilot & Asst. Ops., VP-13 & 26 Ford Island

12/40-1/42 - Pilot & Asst. Gunnery, VP-102 Philippines

1/42-4/42 - Pilot & Asst. Gunnery, VP-102 Dutch East Indies

4/42-3/43 - Pilot & Gunnery Officer (squadron leader for part), VP-42 Aleutians

3/43-6/45 - Ground training officer staff, NAITC Corpus Christi

6/45-11/45 - Asst. Air Officer, Air officer school & USS Yorktown

11/45-5/46 - Navigator, USS Solomons-CUE67-Trng

6/46-5/47 - Student, General Line School, Newport, RI

6/47-2/49 - CO FASRON 114, Kodiak

3/49-7/51 - Training & Plans Officer, CAN Res Train Staff, Glenview, Ill

8/51-2/53 - CO VU-1, Barbers Point

2/53-6/55 - XO VR-21, Barbers Point

7/55-2/58 - XO NROTC Unit, Univ. of Utah

2/58-1/59 - XO PXO school San Diego & USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13)

Promoted to Captains rank upon transfer to the Pentagon

2/59-7/62 - Head, Mobilization Plans & Policies Branch, Naval Operations OP 101

7/62-7/65 - CO VR-7, NAS Moffett Field, CA

7/65 - Retired

Decorations: DFC, Air Medal (10?), Presidential Unit Citation (2 Navy, 2 Army), Air Force Commendation Medal. Philippine Defense Ribbon. Recommended for the Navy Cross for action during the Aleutian Islands Campaign. He may be eligible for the Bronze Star medal due to his service in the Philippines at the start of the war (in review now by the Army.) Numerous campaign medals.

Major actions during WW II. Was a PPC of a PBY at the start of the war in the Philippines with VP-102. In a letter he wrote to his fiancé at the start of the war, he describes "bombing" and sinking a Japanese "spy" boat at the start of the war (December 8th 1941.) Was shot down December 12th over Manila Bay by thirteen Zeros. Was one of the lucky few to escape from the Philippines December 26th, 1941. Flew numerous patrol missions up the Makassar straits, AKA "cold turkey lane" out of Ambon, DEI. Saved a VP-22 PBY by flying it to a scatter base one half hour before Ambon was bombed on January 15th 1942. Reported on a Japanese bomber formation heading to attack the USS Marblehead on February 3rd, 1942. Escaped from three zeros with one engine out during this action. Was transferred to the Aleutians just in time for the attack on Dutch Harbor. Flew many dangerous patrol missions during this time searching for the Japanese carrier force (half of the squadrons planes were lost to the enemy or the weather). Was one of two VP-42 PBY's that participated in the "Kiska Blitz" on June 12th, 1942. Depth bombed a Japanese submarine that was about to torpedo the USS US Grant near Cold Bay, AK on June 17th, 1942.

Is mentioned in the books, In the Hands of Fate, Those Navy guys and there PBY's, and the soon to be released, Not nearly enough... By Cdr. Lou Dorny (ret.) Is part of a 1941 Army news reel film on the Philippines.


Cdr. Edward Bergstrom NAS Barbers Point, Oahu, TH.	September 17th, 1951 Change of command ceremonies of VU-1. View showing Cdr. Edward Bergstrom as he reads his orders assuming command of VU-1.	September 17th, 1951 Change of command ceremonies of VU-1. View showing Cdr. Edward Bergstrom inspecting defense platoon.	September 17th, 1951 Change of command ceremonies of VU-1; CO Cdr. Edward Bergstrom inspecting photo division.

December 4th, 1951 CO of VU-1, Cdr. Edward Bergstrom at his desk.	December 4th, 1951 Description: Cdr. Edward Bergstrom and Lt Cdr. D.C. Mounts.	April 1st, 1952 Cdr. Bergstrom, CO of VU-1, congratulating Bernard after he was promoted to Lt. (jg) from Ensign.	March 5th, 1952 Capt. Woods, Cdr. Bergstrom, RADM T.B. Williamson, Gen? or Capt. Wood's return from COMUTWING inspection

September 17th, 1951 Change of command ceremonies; Cdr. Edward Bergstrom inspecting administration division.	September 17th, 1951 Change of command ceremonies of VU-1, View showing Cdr. Edward Bergstrom inspecting chiefs.	September 17th, 1951 Change of command ceremonies of VU-1. View showing Cdr. Bergstrom as he inspects operations division .	December 4th, 1951 Clarence E. Bruce, AF3, receives Good Conduct Medal from Cdr. Edward Bergstrom

December 4th, 1951 Creel, ADC, receiving award from Cdr. Edward Bergstrom	December 4th, 1951 Alan Calloway, receiving Good Conduct Medal from Cdr. Edward Bergstrom	December 4th, 1951 Heacock, AMC, receiving award from Cdr. Edward Bergstrom,	December 4th, 1951 Parme, AD1, receiving Good Conduct Medal from Cdr. Edward Bergstrom

December 4th, 1951 LT. Lamere, receives flight safety award	Cdr. E. Bergstrom awarding seventh and eighth Good Conduct Medal to ADC Clark.	December 4th, 1951 CO Cdr. Edward Bergstrom making an award to a chief	October 31st, 1952 CO Cdr. E. Bergstrom congratulates Lt. Cdr. Pulford upon receipt of Gold Star in lieu of eight Air Medal.

February 3rd, 1953 Change of command inspection for VU-1.	February 3rd, 1953 Change of command inspection for VU-1. Cdr. Edward Bergstrom congratulating Cdr. Kirkland as he assumes command of VU-1.	February 3rd, 1953 Change of command inspection for VU-1; Inspecting defense platoon by CO Cdr. Edward Bergstrom	February 3rd, 1953 Change of command inspection for VU-1, Cdr. Bergstrom congratulating Cdr. Kirkland.