Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Bernard Alan Weisberger Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 2nd Signal Service Battalion
- Location of Service: Washington, DC; New Delhi, India; Kunming, China; Shanghai, China; China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/88300
Nineteen years old and a student at Columbia University when World War II was declared, Second Lieutenant Bernard Weisberger decided to sign up for Japanese language classes, and then, for service with the Army's Signal Intelligence Service. Stationed first at the unit's headquarters outside of Washington, DC, he felt disconnected from the war effort and longed for an assignment with more immediate impact. He got his wish in 1943, when he received orders for service overseas in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater. In New Delhi, India, he translated decoded Japanese intelligence statements relating to action in Burma, before heading to a small signal intelligence office in Kunming, China. His detailed memoir paints a vivid picture of daily life in wartime Washington, New Delhi, and Kunming. As well, he describes how World War II, with all of its "zaniness and importance," shaped his personality and changed his life forever.
More Resources
About this Item
Title
- Bernard Alan Weisberger Collection
Names
- Weisberger, Bernard Alan
Home State
- Illinois
Headings
- - Weisberger, Bernard Alan
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 2nd Signal Service Battalion
- Location of Service: Washington, DC; New Delhi, India; Kunming, China; Shanghai, China; China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 1942-1946
- Entrance into Service: Commissioned
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served in the Signal Intelligence Service translating intercepted and decoded Japanese radio messages in the United States, China, and India.
Materials
- Manuscript: Memoirs [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2009)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2013-04-24; 2013-04-24)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/88300
Cite as
- Bernard Alan Weisberger Collection (AFC/2001/001/88300), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image