WWII: US NAVY, LT(jg) Gerhard Martin Brietzke, 332432, Born: 31 Oct 1922, GHS 1940, Served on LST #959 and USS Repose (AH 16), Died: 6 Oct 1991,

GERHARDT Brietzke, former Gladwin high athlete is making a strenuous bid this fall for a regular berth in Coach Ron Finch's Central Michigan Bearcats. A sophomore at Mt. Pleasant this year, Brietzke needs considerable seasoning, according to Coach Finch. Finch expects, however, that even though this is to be his first year on the varsity squad, Brietzke will see considerable action in Bearcat games this fall. Shifted from center position, which he held down on the freshman "Bearkitten" squad last year, Brietzke is trying hard to peg the tackle post, and may have a good chance of success. Graduated from Gladwin high school in 1940, where he played football, basketball and baseball, Brietzke is a commerce student at Central Michigan College, "minoring" also in social science and physical education. He is the son of the Rev. H. F. Brietzke, of Gladwin. Gladwin County Record 10/8/1941

Gladwin Boy Wins Letter at College: Gerhard Brietzke, of Gladwin, was among the 41 Central Michigan College spring sport athletes designated to receive varsity letters, Ronald W. Finch, Chippewa athletic director, announced this week. Brietzke won his coveted "C" in baseball, where he played a leading role in making Central's spring sport season the best in several seasons. A sophomore, the Gladwin youth completed his first season with the Central baseball team. Gladwin County Record 6/17/1969

Gladwin Boy Wins Letter at CSTC: Presenting varsity football awards at Central Michigan College's twenty-first annual football banquet, Head Coach Ronald Finch revealed Gerhard Brietzke, Gladwin tackle as one of the 28 to be so honored. Rated on a par with the great team of 1939 which dropped but one game, the 1942 Chippewas this year gave Central its first undefeated season in the history of the school. Winning six straight this record is approached in the state only by Alma College who won seven against no losses. A commerce junior, Brietzke is the son of the Rev. H. F. Brietzke, of Gladwin. Gladwin County Record 11/25/1942

Entertains For Ensign Brietzke Rev and Mrs H F Brietzke entertained at a family reunion dinner on Sunday honoring their son, Ensign Gerhardt M. Brietzke, U. S. N. R., who is home on leave. Ensign Brietzke graduated from the Midshipmen's School at Columbia University and enlisted in the Naval Reserve while attending Central State Teachers College at Mt Pleasant. Others present for the family dinner were Mr and Mrs Henry Brietzke of Hawks, Henrietta Brietzke, of Howell, and Gertrude and Elenore of Mt Pleasant. Gladwin County Record 4/19/1944

Ensign G. M. Brietzke, stationed at Norfolk Naval Yard, Virginia. Gladwin County Record 4/26/1944

Ensign G. M. Brietzke was home for a few days leave and returned again to Boston, Mass., last Friday where he is to pick up their new LST. Gladwin County Record 11/22/1944

Lt. (jg.) Gerhard M. Brietzke USNR, son of Rev. and Mrs. H. F. Brietzke, arrived home from Shanghai, China for a terminal leave. He has been overseas since January, 1945, after first pursuing a course in V-12 training and graduating from the Midshipman’s School in Columbia University, New York. He was on duty as an LST skipper in the Naval operations off Iwo Jima and Okinawa and Ie, the island where Ernie Pyle fell. His last duty was in transporting Chinese and Japanese repatriated troops; and horses for the Chinese Nationalists at Tsingtao. Gladwin County Record 6/26/1946

MUSTER ROLLS: 31 Dec 1944, USS Landing Ship Tank #959, Ensign Gerhard M. Brietzke, first aboard 29 Nov 44.

MUSTER ROLLS: 31 Mar 1945, USS Landing Ship Tank #959, Ensign Gerhard M. Brietzke.

MUSTER ROLLS: 17 Mar 1946, USS Landing Ship Tank #959, LT(jg) Gerhard M. Brietzke, sailing from Shanghai, China to Chinwangtao, China.

MUSTER ROLLS: 1 Apr 1946, USS Repose (AN-16), LT(jg) Gerhard M. Brietzke, Rec’d from LST 959.

During World War II, LST-959 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in June 1945. Following the war, she performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until mid-May 1946. She was decommissioned on 13 June 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 3 July that same year. On 10 June 1948, the ship was stripped and destroyed at Subic Bay, Philippines. LST-959 earned one battle star for World War II service.

The USS REPOSE spent most of the years from 1945-1949 in the North China Station, assisting in evacuations of civilians and treatment of British casualties from actions by the Communist Chinese. She returned to Tsingtao, China to join USS BENEVOLENCE (AH-13) following completion of routine repairs and modernization in San Francisco, California. Between March 1, 1947 and April 29, 1949, only a two-week availability at Yokosuka, Japan for repairs and nine days at Shanghai, interrupted two years of continuous serviced at this North China Station.

Gerhardt and Gertrude Brietzke are among the 33 candidate graduates at Central Michigan College, Mt. Pleasant, who will receive diplomas following the end of the first semester February 7, according to Dr. David M. Trout, dean of students. Graduates of Gladwin high school, Mr. Brietzke and Miss Brietzke will receive bachelor of science degrees. They are the son and daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Brietzke of Oberlin. Gladwin County Record 1/29/1947

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