World War II Honoree

Francis Gaimo

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Jersey City, New Jersey

Honored By

Nicholas E. Hanke

Relationship

Grandson

SERVED AS AN ENLISTED MAN IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD IN NEW JERSEY, WITH THE COASTAL ARTILLERY. DURING THE ONSET OF HOSTILITIES, HIS UNIT DEPLOYED TO CONNECTICUT TO DEFEND THE PRATT & WHITNEY PLANT AND OTHER KEY STRATEGIC LOCATIONS. WAS DEPLOYED TO BORA-BORA IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. EVENTUALLY MOVED TO GUADALCANAL. JUST PRIOR TO THIS MOVEMENT, HE RETURNED TO THE U.S. TO UNDERGO OFFICERS CANDIDATE SCHOOL TRAINING, AND UPON GRADUATION WAS ASSIGNED TO 562ND ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS BATTALION (MOBILE) AND SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER. IN MARCH OF 1945, A B-24 CRASHED NEAR BATTERY C, WHERE TNT WAS BEING STORED. DURING RESCUE EFFORTS, THE EXPLOSIVES DETONATED. HE WAS SERVING AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BATTERY D AT THE TIME. TOOK CHARGE AND ORGANIZED THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE BATTERY AND AID/RESCUE EFFORTS. FOR THIS ACTION, HE RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR. IN APRIL OF 1945, MOVED INTO HAMM, GERMANY AND TOOK UP MILITARY GOVERNMENT DUTIES. SERVED AS A MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE TOWN OF BOCKUM-HOVEL. RETURNED STATESIDE AND CONTINUED TO SERVE WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD, EVENTUALLY BEING PROMOTED TO MAJOR PRIOR TO HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM SERVICE.