Having officially gone "Missing In Action" on the above date (14 Nov 1943), Gerald was not officially declared as being dead by the military until January 22, 1946.
Gerald served as a First Lieutenant & Co-Pilot on B-24J #42-73141, 424th Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.
He resided in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania prior to the war.
He was an outstanding athlete who entered the College Sports Hall of Fame. He was a running back in football and an outstanding hurdler. He earned a degree in philosophy from Dickinson College.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 29, 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed in the manufacture of radios and phonographs and also as Single, without dependents.
Gerald was declared "Missing In Action" when his B-24 did not return to base after a mission to the Solomon Islands area during the war.
He was awarded the Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart.
Airmen who perished on B-24J #42-73141:
Adams, William H ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, LA
Buchanan, James I ~ S/Sgt, Gunner, PA
Bush, William M ~ S/Sgt, Gunner, NY
Darr, Gerald L ~ 1st Lt, Co-Pilot, PA
Friend, Clyde A ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, OK
Hoffman, James E ~ S/Sgt, Gunner, PA
Hyden, Eugene ~ T/Sgt, Radio Operator, KY
Nelson, Norris A ~ 1st Lt, Bombardier, UT
Prescott, Mason ~ 1st Lt, Navigator, ME
Smith, Malcolm E ~ S/Sgt, Asst. Engineer, TX
