The family of Bertram Melvin has asked the Patriot Guard to bring this member of the "Greatest Generation" Home. It will be our Honor to do so.
Bertram joined the Navy in Boston, Massachusetts at 17 years old. Bertram didn't weigh the required 98 pounds so he ate a bunch of bananas to make weight. He served from Oct.1942 - Nov.1945
Bertram went to boot camp at Great Lakes training camp, then to Fallon, Nevada weapons center.
Bertram wanted in the fight so he asked for a transfer and was sent to San Diego for gunnery school.
Upon completion of Gunnery School Bertram was assigned to the USS Washington (BB-56) a North Carolina class of fast battleships.
Bertram's ship was sent to the Philippines to fight the Japanese,
Bertram was assigned to a 40mm gun and was successful in shooting down several planes.
The Washington was engaged in many battles sustaining damage to her. The ship was sent to Pearl Harbor for repairs.
Temporary repairs were made enough to get to Bremerton Washington for permanent repairs.
Bertram was sent back to Pearl Harbor on an LST and then to New Zealand on the USS Manley.
The USS Manley (DD-940) was named after Captain John Manley and was a Forrest Sherman Class Destroyer.
Bertram was then sent to the Heavy Cruiser USS Wichita (CA-45). She was famous for being a submarine hunter as well as a combat top surface battle ship.
Bertram was in many battles aboard the Wichita including, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Saipan.
The War ended and the USS Wichita was the first ship into Nagasaki harbor.
Bertram was allowed to leave the service early and made his way back to Boston.
Upon his Honorable Discharge as a Seaman 1st Class during his time in Combat and the service to his Country Bertram was awarded the Philippine Victory Ribbon (2 Stars), Asiatic Pacific (9 Stars), World War Two Victory Medal. American Area Point System.
When Bertram became a civilian he joined the Everett Fire Department as a dispatcher. The constant ringing of the alarms was stressful since he had PTSD. He left that job and worked various jobs and married.
He had 2 sons and decided to travel to California and take a job at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. He worked in aerospace for the remainder of his career.
Some of the projects he worked on were, RB-66, DC-7, DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, MD-11, MD-80, A4 Skyhawk, C-17, Apollo 11, B1 Bomber, F-18, F-5, and the T-38.
He loved camping mostly and just being a Husband and Father.
Bertram is survived by 6 Children; 2 daughters Kathleen, and Juvie; 4 sons, Bert Jr., Greg, Gary and David; 11 Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren.
Note: If someone gets a flag line together and they want to track us let me know we will send you a glympse. (It is a live feed as to where we are in our journey).
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the church to the cemetery. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Wednesday 02 Oct. 20190845 - Stage St Hedwig Catholic Church, 11482 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos, Ca. 90720
https://goo.gl/maps/2LLCXagRqZ4R7kNT80900 - Mission Briefing
0930 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, Ca.
https://goo.gl/maps/nSadTYMU76hpmz2t61100 - ETA at Riverside National Cemetery, Family staging area #3, PGR just north of #8.
1115 - KSU to assigned shelter
1130 - Final Military Honors
R/C Mike "Joker" CourtrightSoCal PGR - Ride Captain
mokynanapo@sbcglobal.net714-321-3356
"Standing for those who stood for us"
Only 2 defining forces offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ, and the American Soldier:
One died for your soul, the other one died for your freedom.
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
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Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
