WORLD WAR II - Hubert Bernet,
Jr.
Part II
On April, l944, after a week’s stay in Zamboanga, Mindanao, LCT 992, with a load of General Sherman tanks was towed by an LST to Cotabato. In their month’s stay at Cotabato, they went up a river after a Japanese gunboat, downed a Japanese plane and fixed a radar installation. A wealthy Philippino family came on board for a dance and Hubie corresponded with one of the young daughters of the Lozano family for some time.
LCT 992 was also involved in operations at Cora Gara Bay, Legaspi, and the islands of Panaoan, Samar, Basilian and Morotai.
LCT 992 took part in the third wave of MacArthur’s invasion at Leyte on October 20, 1944. The Japanese were defeated five days after the landing although they continued to destroy ammo dumps, liberty ships and LCTs and other ships with Kamikaze attacks.
The Japanese landed 500 paratroopers on Leyte and started shelling the troops. Eventually 992 was able to unload into the ships holds all kinds of goodies including carefully counted cases of beer and cigars. A lot of it got to the beach. A posted notice to all Naval Military Personnel read: No sheath knives or firearms, do not barter, sell or give away naval stores. All intoxicants are prohibited and keep out of all civilian homes and buildings.
On June 5, l945, LCT group 21 departed on a 750 mile round trip for Morotai, Indonesia. There, they rehearsed for the forthcoming difficult operation and practiced loading and unloading convoy transports. Towed by LSTs, they took course for Balikpapan, a port city in Borneo. Most of Borneo was in Japanese hands and Balikpapan was very important since it had the major oil refinery in that area of the Pacific. As would be expected, it was well fortified.
Rockets and shells pounded the defenders before the dawn of July l, l945. The heaviest shelling of the war occurred at this site. LSTs could not hit the beach until pontoon docks were constructed. Before this took place, the LCTs ran through “mortar shell alley” and unloaded men, supplies and equipment. Hubie, who was now on LCT l296 said the LSTs got all the credit for “excellent time” in unloading.
On one trip to shore, his LCT transported 110 tons of mortar shells. One hit by a Japanese shell would have been curtains. An Aussie cruiser came in close and destroyed Japanese guns which were trying to pick off small craft. Hubie was injured. Three large mortar shells fell on Hubie’s hand during unloading. He was not eligible for the Purple Heart since it was a “friendly” accident.
Battles, fires, and explosions raged for three days. Troops, all Aussies and New Zealanders, were pinned down on the beach during the early stages. General Douglas MacArthur himself came walking through the water very close to LCT 1296 to lead the troops. They were so inspired that they went up cliffs with flame throwers and in 45 minutes, they had destroyed the mortars in caves. Hubie’s opinion is that MacArthur is one of the greatest American generals of all times. A plus from the Battle of Balikpapan was that much of the large Japanese refinery was not destroyed and most of its oil reserves were saved.
Hubie has photos showing Japanese officers arriving at Borneo via PT boats to sign surrender terms. He was discharged on February 11, l946 as Quartermaster 2nd Class.
In l974, the Philippines invited all veterans who had fought in the war there to come back for a reunion. The Bernets went to Zamboanga and other sites where they were warmly treated. At one place they were served tuba, a fermented drink made by placing raisins through the punctured eyes of a coconut. While he was there, he gave a talk to a Rotary Club about his Philippine experiences.
Hubert graduated in l950 from the University of Cincinnati in Mechanical Engineering. His first job was with Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company. He later joined Webster Manufacturing in Cincinnati and moved to Tiffin in l960 as a sales manager, and later Vice President of Sales and Engineering. He left Webster in l972 to become affiliated with the Wright-Bernet Brush Co., with a main office in Hamilton, Ohio.
Hubie has retired from the family owned brush company and he and Jo live in a beautiful home on State Route 231 overlooking Honey Creek. Their two sons live in San Diego with four grandchildren. Hubie is still using quartermaster navigating skills on their sail boat on Lake Erie. Jo and Hubert Bernet have been very important in the renovation of the Ritz Theatre. Jo was the first president of the Ritz Board. They continue to be active in the Ritz affairs.
– Percy