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Earl Bierman
By Daniel Brooks, New Hope Gazette editor
He was a kid of 17, not yet out of high school in Northeast Philadelphia, hanging around street corners—and, he said, just about to get into “trouble.” Loyal young friends, Bierman’s immediate “group” in 1945 were filled with boyish determination, omnipotence and camaraderie. They aspired to get off that street corner, out of Philly and get into action defending America from an encroaching German army. And they vowed to do it together.
Some German officials fled to Argentina and some were caught. Trials at Nuremberg were saved for the highest ranking of Nazi leaders—really, ‘up there” generals and cabinet members such as Gehring and Hess. Big wigs that were judged to be responsible for many acts of destruction including the annihilation of millions of Jews in prison camps often referred to as “slaughter houses.”
He was a kid of 17, not yet out of high school in Northeast Philadelphia, hanging around street corners—and, he said, just about to get into “trouble.” Loyal young friends, Bierman’s immediate “group” in 1945 were filled with boyish determination, omnipotence and camaraderie. They aspired to get off that street corner, out of Philly and get into action defending America from an encroaching German army. And they vowed to do it together.
“It was ‘all or nothing’ for us. If they didn’t take us all, then none of us would go,” told Bierman with his boyish grin and the twinkle of a man who appears just about to be caught at something roguish. “We were inseparable.” An uncle in recruitment signed up the boys for the U.S. Army and off to Ft. Benning, Ga. they went although, said Bierman, “Once we got there we rarely saw each other again.”
Bierman belonged to the 1st Division, 26th Infantry Division of the Army. It was his company’s job to work with the citizens, reestablish order and continue the surge through Germany. But its necessity was short-lived, as Germany surrendered six months after Bierman’s arrival. He received orders to travel to another German city and stand guard over a newly formed tribunal court appointed to process and bring to trial the highest levels of Nazi officials. And so Bierman left for Nuremberg without knowing who or what he was in for.
From 1945 to 1948 Bierman stood guard over the long and often tedious judicial process of trying German war criminals, brought to trial by “the people” for “crimes against humanity.”
Some German officials fled to Argentina and some were caught. Trials at Nuremberg were saved for the highest ranking of Nazi leaders—really, ‘up there” generals and cabinet members such as Gehring and Hess. Big wigs that were judged to be responsible for many acts of destruction including the annihilation of millions of Jews in prison camps often referred to as “slaughter houses.”One thing that got another kind of attention for young Bierman was a young stenographer who sat with U.S. military brass while feverishly taking procedural notes. A British lass from Horsham, U.K., when they ran into each other outside of the court house--called Palace of Justice in Nuremberg—Bierman, the trained sharpshooter, moved in quickly, to ask for a date.
60 years forward, June and Earl Bierman are often observed as those same “two kids” flirting but their venue is no longer the German courts. Instead it is the New Hope Borough Council meetings, which they attend together religiously. They married in 1948. She was 18 and he was 21. They began a family and have three children. Glenn, is a local contractor; Gail, is a local interior designer; and Lynn, is owner of Puck restaurant in Doylestown.
“I learned in WWII that family was important,” said Bierman, “so you can imagine how I felt when—after a stint in the reserves— I was recalled to duty, a man with a new wife and kids.” It was 1951 and again America was at war—this time with North Korea—where Bierman was assigned as a sergeant in charge of 100 soldiers. He would not return to Levittown, where the family had settled, until 1953 at discharge.
For over 40 years, Bierman worked in the furniture business, developing his own clientele with three stores under the nameplates Manovers and Carl Rist. They were located in New Britain, Peddlers Village, and Penn’s Park until he sold them and cashed out 14 years ago.
On September 9, 2008 Bierman was honored by Bucks County officials for his role in Korea at a ceremony at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base located in Willow Grove, Pa He received two citations: one from Pa. State Representative Bernie O’Neill (29th District); and the other from Pa. Senator Chuck McIlhinney, Jr. (10th District.) He heard speeches from such officials as Dan Fraley, director of Bucks County Veterans Affairs, and Bucks County Commissioner James F. Cawley, Esq.
With characteristic candor, Bierman, now 80, commented on the experience. “Although I am much honored to receive a commendation I feel like it took them a long time to acknowledge those who served in the Korean War—55 years!”
Government aside, Bierman speaks glowingly of his golden days standing guard for freedom. He is adamant that they helped him gain direction in life and turn what was potentially his “bad boy” personality toward larger pursuits, like raising a family and building a business. He feels that his intense desire to keep his family close and tight knit is a reflection of what he learned in the service.
Today the Bierman’s enjoy traveling together and staging or attending numerous family fun functions. But they are also well known in the community where they shine their service values. Bierman is chairman of the New Hope Borough Council Park and Recreation Board, is a member on the borough’s Revitalization Committee and helped pioneer and institute, along with June, the annual duel-town Winter Fest 12 years ago. He is also an active member of the New Hope post for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Bierman’s affable, easy-going persona makes him the life of every party. He is truly a man influenced by his time giving to the U.S. military and speaks praises of those serving or those who have served. In his continued work for New Hope’s future, in every step he takes, he shows all that while he may be over age to serve the military, he is ever too busy to serve the community where his cherished family members reside. No longer the street corner “hanger” on the verge of trouble, Bierman is more likely these days to have that street corner swept, beautified and acclaimed for it’s historic past.
posted by BucksLocalNews at
4:42 PM
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