PVT Bertie Lee Rich

courtesy of Tim Bear

PVT Bertie Lee Rich was born 1 Jan 1918 in Belcherville, Texas. His twin was Bonnie Laura Rich. Together they were the 6th and 7th children of the 12 children born to Walter Scott and Minnie Mable (Welker) Rich. His brother, Carl, did not survive infancy.

Bertie was drafted in March 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT Rich was transferred from the replacement depot to C Company 116th Infantry on 28 Oct 1944. He was killed in action on 4 Dec 1944 near Julich, Germany.

PVT Rich was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Nocona Cemetery in Nocona, Texas. 

Brother, Horace Edwin Rich, was killed in action on 21 Dec 1944 while serving as a SSG with G Company 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. He was also repatriated and re-interred with family at the Nocona Cemetery. Their great-grandfather, John Levi Billington, served as 3rd SGT in CPT Tyus' Company, 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers (CSA) in the Civil War. Great-grandfather, Edward Cash Rich, served as 4th SGT, CPT Blythe's Company (A Company), 2nd Regiment Mississippi Infantry in the Mexican-American War.