US AIRBORNE
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
- Gerard A. Ruddy
Gerard A Ruddy was born on June 27th, 1913 to Scranton in Pennsylvania.
His parents, Dennis J and Anna V (Roach) has 5 children, 2 girls (Mary and Sarah) and 3 boys (Thomas, Dennis and Gerard).
Having finished his studies, Gerard Ruddy enters in the army in 1933. He finishes his studies to become a non-commissioned officer in 1941, he is 2nd Lieutenant. He goes volunteer for the units of parachutists. He will be first of all in the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. Then, he is transferred to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He will become Captain of the HQ Company of the 1st Battalion.
He participates in the operation Overlord. He will jump on Normandy on June 6th, 1944. Regrettably, his fate will finish tragically June 6th, 1944 having lands near Picauville. He died under the firings of a German machine gun.
His body rests in the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-mer in France. Plot D, Raw 4, Grave 5.
NOTE: the stone of the cross contains an error dating the death on June 14th, 1944 which based on the recording of the grave.
