S/Sgt Ervin E. Dobberpuhl

How this story crossed my path

During the ongoing search for information, photos, and stories about 'Antwerp X' over the past few years, I have come across thousands of names of men who served with one of the AAA units. Whether it be reading through one of the Unit History books or going through Morning Reports, each soldier holds a unique story. William Dobberpuhl (1946-2023), Ervin's son, sent me some photos of his father and a copy of a letter he wrote during his stay in Putte.

For their contribution to our freedom, I would like to take this opportunity to tell their story and give them the recognition they deserve. One of these men was S/Sgt Ervin E. Dobberpuhl, member of B Battery, 494th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.

Biography and Wartime Service

Ervin Ernest Dobberpuhl was born on June 9, 1916 in Big Sandy, Montana to Arthur and Alvina Dobberpuhl. He was a graduate of Alexandria, MN High School and Minnesota School of Business. The Dobberpuhl’s had learned to speak German before speaking English having grown up on farms in Minnesota of German-speaking relatives.

Ervin Dobberpuhl and his brothers Ray and Al all joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1940. Because with a German name like Dobberpuhl they were concerned that they might be mistaken for German sympathizers. The oldest brother joined the Marine Corps.

Ervin E. Dobberpuhl and his brothers shipped out of Boston in August of 1942 and their first station was in Iceland. It was there that the 494th AAA Gun Battalion was born from several Coast Guard units that were present on the island.

Ervivn landed on Normandy Beach on June 9, 1944 which was his 28th birthday and then proceeded through France, Belgium, Holland and finally Germany. He arrived in Putte on November 2, 1944 as a part of Battery B, 494th AAA Gun Battalion and stayed here until December 17, 1944. However, in only a few days Ervin had formed a profound friendship with the people of Belgium aided by his understanding of German and a little bit of Flemish which helped him conversate with the locals.

On the 17th the 494th moved their guns to new locations, North of Antwerp to counter the new approaches of the V1s. At the end of the war Ervin Dobberpuhl acted as a translator for prisoners of war in Le Mans, France. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945.

Ervin ‘Dobbie’ Dobberpuhl married Mertie L. Hambrick on September 19, 1945 in Dallas, Texas. They moved to Idyllwild, CA, then to Hemet,CA, and finally to Rialto, CA in 1956. They had two children, William and Jane were born in Hemet. Dobbie worked for California Electric Power Company from 1946 to 1964 and upon its merger with Southern California Edison, with Edison until October of 1979.

Ervin E. Dobberpuhl died on October 6, 2013. At that time he was survived by his wife of 68 years Myrtle Louise 'Mertie' Dobberpuhl, age 105 (1908-2015)

Gallery

click on the images to enlarge

Thanks to William Dobberpuhl for sharing these photos and information about his father