Eugene Frank Merschman was born to parents Frank and Regina (Illies) Merschman on May 8, 1925 at Bagley, Minnesota.  He was the oldest of six children.  Gene attended Bagley Public Schools.  He worked on the farm and volunteered for the Armed Forces. 

Eugene was inducted into the Army on January 28, 1944.  He began basic training on February 18, 1944 at Fort Bliss, Texas.  As a 74b, Automatic Rifleman, he served in Company L of the 119^th Infantry, the 30^th Division of the 9^th Army.   He was sent overseas to the European theater in January of 1945.  Involved in the Battles and campaigns of the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe – Gene was awarded the Bronze and the Silver Star for his heroic actions on April 14, 1945:   “When the enemy counterattacked a town occupied by his company, the personnel took shelter in cellars and remained undetected.  When a route of escape was found, a smoke barrage was called for by radio and under this concealment, the company began to move through the town toward friendly lines.  While proceeding down a street, a group of enemy soldiers led by an officer was sighted.  Private Merschman boldly ran forward and covered the enemy officer as he was about to signal to his men.  When his company had succeeded in leaving the area, Private Merschman commanded the enemy officer to come forward and took him prisoner.”  PFC Merschman was honorably discharged March 2, 1946.

 Upon returning from WWII, he began working for the City of Bagley, first as a police officer and later as the City Street Superintendent.  He married Gloria Mae Ferrie on October 4, 1947 and raised three sons.  He served as the Civil Defense Director, the Commander of Irvin Blix Post #16 of the American Legion, and was a member of the Bagley Fire Department, as well as serving as Fire Chief.    He retired from the City of Bagley in 1983 and enjoyed camping, fishing, bowling and woodworking during retirement. 

Eugene Merschman died on July 9, 2013 at Cornerstone Nursing Home from complications of Parkinson’s.  He was laid to rest at Bagley City Cemetery. 

Plot: 2      Side: North      Row from Bottom: 4

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