US AIRBORNE
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
- Gerald P. Hereford jr.
Hereford Gerald Jr was born on December 6th, 1923. He is the first son of the Hereford family. There come afterwards 4 brothers and 2 sisters. At St Louis University's school, he was a sportive correspondent of the school newspaper. He was also a big boxer who competed for the Golden Gloves.
He wanted to be a priest.
On March 27th, 1942, he joined the army. He was a Private First Class in D Company of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne.
He participated in the campaign of Africa and Italy.
On September 24th, 1944, barely 20-year-old, Gerald was killed in Holland near Groesbeek during the operation Market Garden.
He was buried at first in Holland. But his parents had the opportunity to repatriate his body in United States. He is now buried in St Louis Calvary Cemetary where his parents also rest.