William Edward Bergin

William Edward Bergin (May 18, 1892 – January 23, 1978) was an officer in the United States Army who served as Adjutant General from 1951 to 1954.

William Edward Bergin
Born	May 18, 1892 Pueblo, Colorado
Died	January 23, 1978 (aged 85) Washington, D.C.
Place of Burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1917–1954
Rank	Major General
Commands held	Adjutant General of the U.S. Army
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit

Early life and start of career

Bergin was born in Pueblo, Colorado on May 18, 1892,[1] a son of John Bergin and Catherine.[2] He joined the Army in 1917, and received his commission as a second lieutenant after graduating from officers training camp at Fort Riley, Kansas.[1] During World War I he served in Europe with the 20th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 10th Division, which was later re-designated the 31st Division.[1]

From 1921 to 1925, Bergin was in charge of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Georgetown University.[1]

World War II

At the start of World War II, Bergin was adjutant and assistant chief of staff for personnel (G-1) of U.S. Army Forces in Chongqing, China, serving under General Joseph Stilwell.[1] He later served on the Army staff for the China Burma India Theater, and he ended the war as deputy chief of staff of the Tenth U.S. Army, based in Okinawa.[1]

Later career

In 1946, Bergin was assigned to the War Department General Staff.[1] His later assignments included overseas service in Germany and service as the Army's Deputy Adjutant General from 1949 to 1951, and Adjutant General from 1951 to 1954.[1]

Bergin's awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit, as well as China's Order of the Cloud and Banner First Grade.[1]

Retirement and death

In retirement, Bergin was a resident of Washington, D.C..[1] In his later years, he suffered from heart disease.[1] He died at his Washington home on January 23, 1978.[1] Bergin was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth.[1]

See also

• List of Adjutant Generals of the U.S. Army

References

1. "Maj. Gen. William Bergin, 85, Retired Adjutant General". The Washington Post. Washington, DC. January 25, 1978.
2. Mitchell, Karen. "Bergin, Catherine". The Tri-County Obituary Project: Huerfano County, Pueblo County, and Las Animas County, Colorado. Louise Adams. Retrieved October 27, 2020.

External links

• Ancell, R. Manning; Miller, Christine Marie (eds.) (1996). The Biographical Dictionary of World War II Generals and Flag Officers. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 20.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)