Chief Warrant Officer 2
Bernard Cohen

During World War II, CW2 Cohen was awarded the Legion of Merit for technical ingenuity for fabricating a vehicle frame straightener and an axle straightener. With his invention, many otherwise unreparable vehicles were returned to combat.

During the Korean Conflict, he won the Bronze Star with “V” Device for heroic action near Chupari, South Korea. On September 11, 1951 he lead an effort to recover two vehicle retrievers and a tank that had been abandoned in enemy territory.

Mr. Cohen was again awarded the Bronze Star (Oak Leaf Cluster) for technical contributions in the fabrication of a device that prevented track-laying vehicles from sliding on hazardous, icy, Korean Mountain trails. 

He also fabricated parts that allowed deadlined equipment to be repaired and returned to service. His initiative saved a great deal of immobilized equipment from falling into enemy hands.

From 1956 until 1976, he served the Ordnance Corps as a civilian employee at the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School. During this period, he designed the Metal Body Repair Course, developed instructional materials, and served as primary instructor for the first two years of the course. 

He also updated the Welding Course to include introduction of metal inert gas welding. Finally, he supervised all welding and metal body repair during training from 1970 to 1976. During periods of rapid increases in the number of trainees and concurrent shortages of materials with which to conduct training, Mr. Cohen displayed great initiative and saved the U.S. Government a great deal of money.