Gerald Norbert Nowak
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
NOWAK, Gerald Norbert
Gerald Norbert Nowak was born on April 1st 1924, the son of Louis J. & Nellie E. Nowak, in Spooner, Wisconsin. He graduated from high school there in 1943. By 1930, the family had settled in Duluth, Minnesota.
Mr. Nowak enlisted in the U.S. Navy beginning in June 1943. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theater. His role was that of a Hospital Corpsman on the USS Solace (AH-5). He rose to the rank of Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class (PhM2).
He was honorably discharged in April 1946. After the war he returned home and married Clara Cecelia [Chudecke] on June 5th 1954.
Mr. Nowak was one of seven brothers (see below) who served during World War II or the Korean War.
Source(s): Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form;
Veteran’s account (below); article from unidentified local newspaper
Veteran’s account:
“Seven brothers--
Leonard Nowak – WWII - Army - Medical - Europe - Bronze Star
Francis Nowak – WWII - Navy - Cook on LST - Pacific
Vincent Nowak – WWII - Air Force - Radio Operator - Pacific
Eugene Nowak – WWII - Navy - Destroyer - Purple Heart - Pacific
Gerald Nowak – WWII - Navy - Corpsman - U.S.S. Solace - Pacific
Joseph Nowak – Korean War - Army
John Nowak – Korean War - Army
LAND, SEA, AIR DRAW FIVE SONS
“On the land—in the air—and on the sea!
Mrs. L. J. Nowak of 515 North Eleventh avenue east, has sons represented in each of the armed services.
“Five stars are now displayed in the front window of her home—five stars which represent the five sons who volunteered their services to help bring this war to an end.
“The first to answer Uncle Sam’s call was Eugene, 22, who enlisted in the Navy in May, 1940. As a second-class signalman, he saw action in the Pacific area. Although the war department reported him missing in action in November, 1942. Mrs. Nowak knows that mistakes can be made and she has not given up hope that he will return.
“The Navy was also the choice of the second son to enlist. Seaman Second Class Francis Nowak, 25, joined up in May, 1942, and is in training at Michigan City, Ind., at the present time.
“Piloting a plane won the interest of Vincent, 23, who did not follow in the footsteps of his brothers. Stationed quite close to home, he’s been in air corps training at Sioux Falls, S.D., since his enlistment in October, 1942.
“Not to be outdone by his younger brothers, Leonard, the oldest of the boys, entered the army in December of the same year. Taking his basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., he reached the rating of staff sergeant. Leonard has been fighting in the North African campaign.
“And yesterday Mrs. Nowak said ‘God Speed’ to a fifth son, Gerald, who at 19 has enlisted in the Navy and left for Farragut, Idaho.
“A small, alert woman with silver-streaked hair, Mrs. Nowak feels she “has been blessed with eight sons.” Gallantly, she has smiled as five of the eight have left Duluth to do their part in the war effort. Three younger brothers, Joseph, 15, John, 12, and Lawrence, 8, all wish they were of the age to ‘get into the fight.’”
Mrs. Nowak was somehow overlooked when the Duluth News-Tribune did the story about “Eleven Mothers Are Awarded Pins by Duluth Group”.
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
