Bernard G. Ehrlich

Bernard G. Ehrlich
1985 black and white head and shoulders photo of Major General Bernard G. Ehrlich in dress uniform
Ehrlich as a major general in 1985
Born(1928-10-14)October 14, 1928
Warsaw, Poland
DiedMarch 7, 2014(2014-03-07) (aged 85)
Mount Kisco, New York, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
ServiceUnited States Army
Years of service1952–1986
RankMajor General
UnitNew York Army National Guard
United States Army Reserve
Commands1st Battalion, 71st Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division
42nd Infantry Division
ConflictsCold War
Awards Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Complete list
Alma materNew York University
New York University School of Law
United States Army Command and General Staff College
Spouse(s)
Marjorie Bernice Ridge
​
​
(m. 1955; death 2014)​
[1]
Children2[1]
Other workAttorney
Businessman

Bernard G. Ehrlich (14 October 1924 – 7 March 2014) was an American attorney and military officer from New York. He served in the United States Army and New York Army National Guard from 1952 to 1986 and attained the rank of major general as commander of the 42nd Infantry Division. He was the longtime law partner of US Representative Mario Biaggi, and Ehrlich's military career ended when Biaggi and he were accused of crimes related to the Wedtech scandal.

Biography

Bernard Gordon Ehrlich[a] was born in Warsaw, Poland[b] on 14 October 1928.[3][4] He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 and he received his LL.B. from New York University School of Law in 1951.[3] After he was admitted to the bar, Ehrlich practiced law with the Bronx firm of Ehrlich and Lang, which became Biaggi, Ehrlich and Lang after Mario Biaggi became a partner in the late 1960s.[5][6]

Ehrlich was drafted for military service during the Korean War and joined the United States Army in January 1952.[3][7] After completing his initial training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School.[7][8] He received his commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry in March 1953 and remained on active duty with the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Dix until receiving his discharge in March 1954.[3][8][9] He was assigned to the United States Army Reserve from April to September 1954, when he joined the New York Army National Guard.[3] Ehrlich served in the Reserve again from 1958 until 1966, when he rejoined the New York National Guard.[10]

Ehrlich advanced through the ranks in staff and command assignments during the Cold War and commanded an Infantry platoon and Cavalry troop before being assigned to command 1st Battalion, 71st Infantry Regiment in the mid-1970s as a lieutenant colonel.[8] After graduating from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, In the early 1980s, he commanded 2nd Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division as a colonel.[11][12] He served as New York's assistant adjutant general for army after receiving promotion to brigadier general in 1982.[13] In October 1985, Ehrlich was promoted to major general and in January 1986 he was assigned as commander of the 42nd Infantry Division.[13][14] He served until October 1986, when he was relieved of command and retired.[15]

At the time of his relief from command, Ehrlich, Biaggi, and several others were under investigation for crimes associated with the Wedtech scandal.[15] Ehrlich was acquitted of charges that he bribed the Adjutant General of New York, Vito Castellano.[16] He was convicted of racketeering and other crimes, and received a sentence of six years in federal prison and a fine of $220,000.[17]

Ehrlich was disbarred as a result of his involvement with Wedtech.[18] He subsequently operated companies that provided health care services including ambulettes to hospitals in and around New York City.[19] Ehrlich's businesses made news in 2008 and 2009 when Anthony S. Seminerio, a member of the New York State Assembly, pleaded guilty to taking bribes disguised as consulting fees to assist medical service companies, including those owned by Ehrlich.[19] Ehrlich died in Mount Kisco, New York on 7 March 2014.[20] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[21]

Awards

Ehrlich's federal awards included:[22]

Ehrlich's state awards included:[22]

  • New York State Conspicuous Service Medal
  • New York State Military Commendation Medal
  • New York Long and Faithful Service Medal
  • New York Aid to Civil Authority Medal
  • New York Humane Service to NYS Medal

Dates of rank

Notes

  1. ^ Ehrlich's last name appears as "Erlich" in some news stories and written records.[2]
  2. ^ Some editions of the Official National Guard Register give Ehrlich's birthplace as Bermuda. Most documentary sources, including his World War II draft registration and the 1950 US Census, give his birthplace as Poland.

References

  1. ^ a b "Obituary, Marjorie R. Ehrlich, April 2, 1933 – March 18, 2015". Sinatra Memorial Home. Mount Kisco, New York. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Lawyer Alters Tune Quickly". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. Associated Press. 25 March 1970. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g National Guard Bureau (1956). Official National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 255. Retrieved 21 July 2015 – via Ancestry.com.
  4. ^ Moynihan, Colin (4 February 2010). "Ex-Assemblyman From Queens Gets Six-Year Term for Influence Peddling". The New York Times. New York. p. A19 – via TimesMachine.
  5. ^ O'Neill, Edward (3 July 1967). "Short Takes: Mario Biaggi". New York Daily News. New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Tolchin, Martin (19 September 1972). "Suit to Recover a $100,000 Fee From Biaggi Filed Here by State". The New York Times. New York. p. 1 – via TimesMachine.
  7. ^ a b O'Grady, Daniel (26 September 1980). "It's armory days: Mark 7th Regiment HQ's 100th milestone". New York Daily News. New York. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b c Ehrlich, Bernard G. (1977). "Written Statement of Lt. Col. Bernard G. Ehrlich". Hearings On Unionization of Military Personnel. Washington, DC: US House Committee On Armed Services. pp. 295–298 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Biaggi, Mario (8 June 1982). "Extension of Remarks: Salute to Bernard G. Ehrlich". Congressional Record. Washington, DC: US House of Representatives. pp. 13013–13014 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ National Guard Bureau (1967). Official Army National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 250 – via HathiTrust.
  11. ^ a b National Guard Bureau (1980). Army National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 102 – via Google Books.
  12. ^ Biaggi, Mario (24 September 1980). "Extension of Remarks: Pro Patria Et Gloria". Congressional Record. Washington, DC: US House of Representatives. pp. 27190–27191 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ a b c "On the Move: Maj. Gen. Bernard Ehrlich". The Reporter Dispatch. White Plains, New York. 19 October 1985. p. A5 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Cope, John F.; Rhodes, Richard; Mariani, Robert F. (1990). The 42d Infantry Division NYARNG in New York City Service During The Cold War 1947 To 1990. Troy, New York: History Committee, 42d Rainbow Association. p. 29 – via Google Books.
  15. ^ a b Barbanel, Josh (23 October 1986). "State Ousts Commander of Rainbow Guard Unit". The New York Times. New York. p. B3 – via TimesMachine.
  16. ^ "A Wedtech Figure Is Cleared By Jury". The New York Times. New York. 17 December 1987. p. A1 – via TimesMachine.
  17. ^ Gressin, Seena D. (10 January 1989). "Ehrlich sentenced to six years in prison for racketeering and other crimes". United Press International. Miami, Florida. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  18. ^ Wagner, Frank D. (1989). Official Reports of the Supreme Court. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 941 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ a b Moynihan, Colin (21 October 2009). "Ex-Assemblyman Portrayed as Corrupt on a Vast Scale". The New York Times. New York.
  20. ^ "Obituary, Bernard Ehrlich". The Journal News. White Plains, New York. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2025 – via Legacy.com.
  21. ^ "Bernard Gordon Ehrlich, Oct 14, 1928 - Mar 7, 2014". Veterans Legacy Memorial. Washington, DC: US Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Major General Bernard G. Ehrlich: Division Commander 1 January 1986 - 21 October 1986". DMNA.NY.gov. Saratoga Springs, New York: New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. 1985. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  23. ^ National Guard Bureau (1958). Official Army National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 279 – via Google Books.
  24. ^ National Guard Bureau (1971). Official Army National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 83. Retrieved 21 July 2025 – via Ancestry.com.
  25. ^ National Guard Bureau (1976). Official Army National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 97. Retrieved 21 July 2025 – via Ancestry.com.
  26. ^ United States Senate (5 August 1982). Congressional Record: Senate. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 19630 – via Google Books.
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