World War II Honoree

Gerald M. Gurtzweiler

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Petersburg, Michigan

Honored By

A Grateful American

HE WAS DRAFTED IN 1944 AND SERVED WITH THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION, 505TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT WHICH SAW COMBAT IN SICILY AND LATER IN FRANCE. AFTER REGROUPING IN ENGLAND, HIS REGIMENT WAS SENT TO HOLLAND, WHERE IT FOUGHT IN THE ARDENNES OFFENSIVE AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HE WAS SENT TO BERLIN IN APRIL, 1945, AND STAYED THERE WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL FORCES. RECIPIENT OF THE MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDER HOLLAND FOR HIS SERVICE IN THAT COUNTRY, THE PURPLE HEART FOE SHRAPNEL WOUNDS RECEIVED IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, FOUR BRONZE STARS AND A BRONZE ARROWHEAD.