Grandview: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerling, Doris and Mildred, went to Burlington Thursday evening to see their son and brother, Kenneth Gerling, who left that evening for Des Moines for army induction.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, November 20, 1943
Pfc. Gerling Is Missing, Army Informs Parents
Grandview—PFC. Kenneth Gerling has been missing in action since Oct. 26, according to a message received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerling, Grandview, from the War Department.
Gerling had been serving in France since the time of the invasion, being transferred to the field after previous service in Italy. He entered service in November, 1943 and went overseas in April, 1944.
PFC. Gerling’s wife and three children are making their home at Wapello. A younger brother, PFC. Dale Gerling has been overseas since August and according to a recent letter is in action in France.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, November 9, 1944
PFC. Gerling Is Listed Missing in France Area
Wapello—Mrs. Kenneth Gerling, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harris Van Winkle, has received word from the War Department that her husband, Pfc. Kenneth R. Gerling, has been missing in action in France since Oct. 26. There are three children, Ruth Ann, Janet and Wayne.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, November 15, 1944
GRANDVIEW MAN DIES IN ACTION
Kenneth Gerling Reported Missing Oct. 26 Now Listed As Dead.
Muscatine, Ia.—Pvt. (f.c.) Kenneth Gerling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gerling, Grandview, listed as missing Oct. 26, was killed in action that day the War Department has notified the family. He entered the service a year ago and went overseas in April, serving in the Italian campaign before being transferred to the French invasion forces.
Besides his parents; the widow, the former Ruth VanWinkle, and three children, Ruth, Janet and Wayne, now residing in Wapello, survive.
Source: Quad City Times, December 1, 1944
Battle Casualties Sadden More Homes
PFC. KENNETH R. GERLING—Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerling, of Grandview, were advised in November, 1944, that their son, Pfc. Kenneth R. Gerling, who had been reported as missing in action in France, Oct. 26, 1944, had been killed in action on that date. He had been in service for about a year and overseas since April and had taken part in the Italian campaign before joining Allied forces for the invasion of France.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, December 29, 1944
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice In Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many reported wounded.
The cost of war runs high!
Word of the victory in Europe today brought a feeling of happiness and relief to thousands of families in the Muscatine area, but for others there were only sad memories. And for those who have sons, husbands, brothers or other relatives, fighting against the Japs in the second phase of the big world-wide conflagration the period of rejoicing was less pronounced.
[excerpt]
The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:
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Pfc. Kenneth R. Gerling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerling, of Grandview, killed in action Oct. 26, 1944, in France.
Source: Muscatine Journal, Victory In Europe Edition, Monday, May 7, 1945
A gold star was presented to Mrs. Ruth Gerling Sunday afternoon at a meeting of the Loyal Order of Moose at Burlington for her husband, Pfc. Kenneth Gerling, who was killed in action in France. Gerling was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gerling of Grandview.
Source: The Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Tuesday, May 8, 1945
Kenneth R. Gerling was born Aug. 21, 1912 to Fred H. and Esther Anderson Gerling. He died Oct. 26, 1944 and is buried in Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Epinal, Lorraine, France.
Pvt. Gerling served in World War II with the U.S. Army 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division and was KIA. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
Written text (below) from another Sgt. at the same time as Gerling with the US Army 157th, 45th Infantry Division in France--More explanation given as to the mission and conditions the infantry faced at the time of the death of Pvt. Gerling:
"Our mission was to secure the towns of Jeanmenil and Bru, located north of Rambervillers. The third battalion was assigned to secure the wooded hill mass to the north. As we approached the top of the hill, we were met with enemy fire. I do believe they were using all their guns. The 2nd battalion was having the same problem over to our right. Suddenly a French battalion came up and they entered in on the assault. Because of the mountainous terrain, foul weather and the German resistance, we were stopped just short of both towns. This fight lasted for three weeks. The attack finally shifted to the east to the town of Autry, thinking that the town of Bru could be isolated, and the Germans forced out. Oct. 25th was another terrible day for the Regiment. Co. I lost its second commander in just 45 days. Finally, the road leading into Jeanmenil and Bru was breached and the two towns were separated. That separation was what we needed to take these towns."We came next to the Mureth river valley, where apparently coal was mined. By the time the valley was taken most all of the companies of the 157th regiment were at about 50 percent of our strength. I remember this valley very well. The snows had started to come. We were issued new sleeping bags with a shield at the top of the bag. We could pull out the shield and place it over our head to keep the snow off. I never slept with my bag zipped up. I figured if had to get out of the bag in a hurry, I did not want to be caught in there. The first night we had the new bags, we woke up after about 4 hours of sleep with about 4 inches of snow on top of us. The sleeping bag shields did their job. On 7 Nov 1944, we were relieved by the 100th Division. Our company was trucked back to a rest area. We stayed at the rest area until after Thanksgiving. We had a good Thanksgiving dinner and the trimmings. During the days in the rest area, we had to undergo drill and training just to stay in shape. On November 23, 1944, our company was ordered back into combat." |
Source: Written memoirs by Sgt. V.C. Ewin, 157th Infantry, 45th Division, France, October 1944
