Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Uniform, Military |
Catalog Number |
2009.015.041 |
Description |
Olive drab, cotton twill, lined with wool coveralls. Work pants. Front zipper and zipper under right arm for access to pockets. Tie closures at bottom of leg. |
Other Name |
Military coveralls |
Year Range from |
1942 |
Year Range to |
1945 |
Used By |
Kermit Brekke |
Owned By |
Kermit Brekke |
Event |
World War II |
Dimensions |
L-52.5 inches |
Length (in) |
52.500 |
People |
Brekke, Kermit |
Subjects |
"Things that Matter" Clothing & Accessories Military |
Search Terms |
World War II WWII "Things that Matter" |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Notes |
Featured in Things that Matter "While at first glance these workman’s coveralls may seem plain and unremarkable, sometimes the unassuming pieces of clothing have the most interesting stories to tell. This is certainly the case for the owner, Kermit Brekke, a rural Wisconsin farm boy turned World War II soldier and Bronze Star recipient. Brekke was born in 1919 in Trempealeau County. His parents were of Norwegian ancestry, and he grew up on a farm near Blair. In 1942, when he was 23, Brekke enlisted in the Army and was sent to Oregon for training at Camp White and Camp Adair. During his training there, Brekke’s sweetheart, Evelyn Stutlien, visited him. On April 25, 1943, they were married near the Army training base where he was stationed. Unfortunately their honeymoon was quite brief, as Brekke was sent to North Africa shortly after. While deployed overseas, he and Evelyn remained in constant correspondence. Brekke started in North Africa but was quickly moved to Italy when the Battle of Anzio began. He was a member of the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 363rd Combat Regiment, 91st Infantry Division. Throughout the Italian Campaign, the 91st Infantry Division marched north and drove German troops out of Italy. While Brekke started out as a rifleman, he soon became a radio operator and repairman. Although he usually carried only a handgun, he often was at the front and many times was pushed ahead of the infantry during the chaos of battle. While he was shot at, nearly bombed to death and almost captured or killed by Germans on several occasions, he eventually returned home safely to his wife when he was discharged in 1945. Brekke lived out his life as a farmer in Blair. He was active in Knudtson-Mattison American Legion Post 231 and a member of the the Sons of Norway and First Lutheran Church. Brekke lived to be 86. While he had many titles throughout his life — soldier, farmer, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather — he will be remembered most by the title of "hero." Italy is sometimes referred to as the "Forgotten Front." The La Crosse County Historical Society’s Brekke Collection ensures his contribution to the war will be remembered." This article was originally published in the La Crosse Tribune. Title: Kermit Brekke's World War II Workman's Coveralls Author: Sophie Olson Publish Date: August 20, 2016 |