John C. "Jack" Bertram

November 11, 1920 – January 1, 2023

John C. “Jack” Bertram passed away on January 1, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia at the age of 102. He was a proud member of the 95th BG until the end.

Jack was born on what was then called Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1920 in Altoona, PA to Chalmer Bertram and Elsie Ross Bertram. Jack and both of his brothers attained Eagle Scout. Jack was active in sports and particularly baseball where he was known as a hard throwing and sometimes wild left hander. Jack graduated Altoona High in 1938 and a couple of years later was accepted into a technical school for National Cash Register Co. in Dayton, Ohio. Just before graduation he was drafted into the Field Artillery of the US Army. The head of the local draft board was one of Jack’s baseball coaches and managed to have his draft deferred until he was able to complete the technical school at NCR.

Jack did basic training at Fort Bragg, NC and then entered artillery school at the same base. During training he received a letter from one of his brothers telling him the Army Air Corp was looking for crew members. Jack asked and received permission to test and soon was in training with the Air Corp. Before leaving Fort Bragg he was “volunteered” by his CO to enter the base boxing tournament and  won the middleweight title for Fort Bragg in 1943. His letter to his mom read simply,” It was a tough fight Mom…but I won!”

Against the odds he became a pilot and was soon assigned to command the Flying Fortress, B-17. He and his crew were assigned to the 95th BG and stationed in Horham, England. During his first training flight there he was on the runway awaiting take off when the tower shut down the field. Shortly after, pieces of airplanes fell from the sky from a mid air collision. Somehow he and his crew, all of which except one, were on every mission, steeled their nerves and from April to August 1944 flew and survived 35 missions together including 2 on D Day.

Jack and his crew were sent stateside where he became a flight instructor for the duration of the war. In  May of 1945 he married Alma Bock whom he had met in Cape Girardeau, MO while in training there. He and Alma settled in Pittsburgh where Jack returned to NCR. During the next 40 years he and Alma had 5 children and moved from Pittsburgh to Youngstown, Ohio, to Atlanta GA, and finally to Medfield MA where Jack retired in 1983 as a District Manager. He and Alma retired to Central Florida in 1984 where, tragically, Alma was lost to cancer soon after.

In 1998 Jack moved to Virginia to help his daughter Linda with the construction of her home there. He was to live in an apartment above her garage. He was invited to play bridge by neighbors and met June Oakley. That was the end of the garage apartment plan as he and June hit it off from the beginning. They were married 23 years ago and spent many happy years traveling the world and enjoying each others families. The older he became the more in demand he became by local news outlets and newspapers. He spoke at University of Virginia several times and was interviewed by national publications. One of his proudest moments was receiving the French merit of honor medal from the French Ambassador to the US in Washington DC.

Like most vets Jack said little about his military heroics while raising his family. It was only as he approached his 70s did he go back to Horham and then discovered the 95th BG memorials foundation. He had a great love for the English people and cherished his visits to Horham. He attended many reunions in the states and was humbled by the love and friendships he cultivated there.

Jack leaves behind his wife, June Oakley. He leaves five children, Jack (Susan) of Atlanta, Linda of Charlottesville, VA, Jim (Daniele) of Cambridge, MA, Bob (Peggy) of Lovingston, VA, and Barbara (Scott) of Manchester, VT. He also leaves behind 6 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Dad said many times that he and others like him were not heroes, but that they were only doing as anyone else would have done at the time. His family and those who got to know him knew better. He was a hero for his country. He was a father who lived by example and who loved and encouraged his children unconditionally. His love of family, sense of humor, and love of people and life in general were there for all to see. We, as his children, are so grateful to have had him for so long. He will be missed by all.

Jack will join his wife Alma in Medfield, MA in a private ceremony at a future date.