World War II Honoree

Gerald B. Newberry

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Delavan, Illinois

Honored By

John W. Overton

Relationship

Friend

AS A MEMBER OF THE 349TH REGIMENT, 88TH INFANTRY DIVISION, HE SERVED FIRST AS A LITTER BEARER AND THEN AS A RIFLEMAN IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, WHERE THE SLOPES WERE SO STEEP THAT ARMY PACK MULES SLIPPED AND FELL DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDES. CONCUSSION FROM AN EXPLODING SHELL MADE HIM FEEL 'AS IF HIS TONGUE HAD BEEN BLOWN OUT OF HIS MOUTH'. SHRAPNEL FROM THAT SHELL PRODUCED A SEVERE ARM WOUND THAT LED TO HOSPITALIZATION IN ITALY AND ENGLAND, AND TO THE AWARD OF THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL.