Louis Edward Gerard
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Louis Edward Gerard servedduring World War II in the U.S. Army Air Forces in the Air Training Command at several different bases stateside.
He served from July 6, 1943, until February 19, 1946. His rank was Sergeant.
Mr. Gerard received college and 10 hours flight training of Piper Cubs in Missoula, Montana. He had basic training in Lincoln Army Air Field in Nebraska, and advanced training in Santa Ana Army Air Base, California.
He was assigned to aircraft mechanics at Amarillo, Texas.
He attended the B-17 Boeing Factory School in Burbank, California, and later served at the Las Vegas Army Gunnery School, Nevada, the home of the “Flying Horned Toads.” He did air crewing training in Sioux City, Iowa.
When Mr. Gerard attended the B-17 Boeing Factory School, he qualified as an Aerial Engineer and Top Turret Gunner in the Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress.” He was assigned to a crew of ten and was ready for overseas duty when the war ended.
Mr. Gerard was born on December 6, 192_, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Louis P. and Eva L. Gerard. He graduated from Willow River High School.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form
