World War II Honoree

Robert Gerner

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bronx, New York

Honored By

Mark Gerner

Relationship

Son

SERVED IN THE 10TH CAVALRY AND THE 86TH INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION IN 1944 AND 1945. TRAINED AS A HORSE CAVALRY SOLDIER (MOUNTED INFANTRY) AT FORT RILEY, KANSAS, THEN JOINED THE 10TH CAVALRY SQUADRON, FORMING AT CAMP SWIFT, TEXAS. SERGEANT IN THE MOUNTED INFANTRY TROOP AND ONE OF ABOUT 150 SOLDIERS IN WWII WHO SAW ENEMY ACTION ON HORSEBACK. IN ITALY, AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR FOR ACTIONS IN THE BATTLE OF CASTEL D’AIANO IN MARCH 1945, LED PATROLS WITHIN ENEMY LINES BOTH MOUNTED AND ON SKIS. PROMOTED TO STAFF SERGEANT WHILE IN ITALY. UPON RETURN FROM ITALY IN 1945, JOINED THE 77TH INFANTRY DIVISION, U.S. ARMY RESERVE, WHERE ROSE IN RANK TO 1ST SERGEANT OF THE HEADQUARTERS COMPANY OF THE 77TH RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON AND THEN TO COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE DIVISION. DECEASED 1978.