Bernard was from Utica, New York. Like many young men of the period he could not wait to fly in WW II. Prior to U.S. entry into the war he went north and joined the RCAF. After earning his wings as a Flying Officer, he accumulated 286 hours prior to transferring to the U.S. Eighth Air Force on 26 May 1943.

He was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group, 335th squadron with the commission of Lieutenant in September. Flying P-47s Thunderbolts, he scored his first victory in February 1944, shooting down an Fw-190. Shortly thereafter the group exchanged their P-47s for the new P-51 Mustangs. Bernard then shot down two twin-engine planes in March and followed with 3 1/2 victories in April. Meantime, he was appointed C.O. of "A" Flight as he became an "Ace".

In May he destroyed another Me-109, and becoming a captain, he celebrated with the destruction of another Fw-190. Having completed his tour of combat with 9 victories to his credit, he had his bags packed for return to the States on leave. However, on 6 June, when he was scheduled to leave, he did not want to miss D-Day. He begged to be included in the invasion and was reluctantly assigned to lead "Blue Flight" on a mission near Rouen, France. They were flying on the deck strafing any targets of opportunity when suddenly, out of the low lying clouds, 10-plus enemy fighters appeared on their tails. With no room to manoeuvre the four of them were shot down almost instantly and killed. The only one who escaped was Kidd Hofer, who had joined them as a fifth man in the flight.

Bernard had 8.5 victories to his credit, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.