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Interviewee
Sandberg, Bertil
Document Type
Oral History
Date of Interview
2-15-2002
Abstract
Bert Sandberg was born 28 July 1925 in St. Paul, the son of Swedish immigrant parents. He attended Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul (class of ’43), where he excelled at football, basketball, and track. In September 1943, several months after graduation, Bert enlisted in the US Navy. After completing Basic Training at Farragut Naval Station, Idaho, Bert volunteered for amphibious operations and was sent to Virginia for training. In May 1944 Bert joined the crew of USS LST 1018 (LST: landing ship, tank) and departed for the Pacific Theater. On LST 1018, he served as one of the four-man crew of a Higgins boat, used during Pacific island invasions and equipped with a front ramp that dropped, so that troops and equipment could be landed at or near shore. During 1944-45 Bert participated in seven amphibious operations in the Philippine Islands and Dutch East Indies; among these were Leyte (Oct-Nov 44), Mindoro (Dec 44), and Mindanao (Apr 45). Following VJ-Day in August 1945 Bert served on LST 1016, which was assisting in the transportation of Japanese troops from all over the Pacific back to Japan. Bert finally returned to the US in May 1946 and was discharged that same month with the rank of seaman first class. After military service Bert attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis (1946-50) and was then self-employed. His companies included Sandberg Steel Erection, with projects worldwide, and American Crane Company. In 1952 Bert married Carol Ziniel; the couple made their home in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and raised three children. Bert passed away in April 2003. US Navy, 1943-46; USS LST 1018 (1944-45); USS LST 1016 (1945-46)
Copyright
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced without the written permission of Concordia University Library or Thomas Saylor, Department of History, Concordia University, St. Paul.
Recommended Citation
Saylor, Thomas, "Oral History Project World War II Years, 1941-1946 - Bert Sandberg" (2002). Oral History Project: World War II Years, 1941-1946. 146.
https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/oral-history_ww2/146
PDF Transcript of Interview with Bert Sandberg