Gerald Bernard Marlatt
Gerald Bernard Marlatt was the fourth child of Harry Raymond and Laura Marlatt. He was born on the 29th of June 1920 in Rensselaer, Indiana.
On 16th of March 1943, Gerald enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison. His terms of enlistment were for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law.
Gerald was assigned to Company K of the 377th Infantry Regiment as a replacement, after the unit had already been deployed in Europe. The 377th was part of the 95th Infantry Division and landed in France on September 15, 1944 and slowly made their way through Northern France, Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe.
On 25 November, the division pushed toward the Saar and entered Germany on the 28th. The 95th seized a Saar River bridge on 3 December and engaged in bitter house-to-house fighting for Saarlautern. Suburbs of the city fell and, although the enemy resisted fiercely, the Saar bridgehead was firmly established by 19 December. While some units went to an assembly area, others held the area against strong German attacks. Many in the unit went door by door clearing buildings. Gerald was about to open a door when his battle buddy pulled him back in the nick of time preventing a fatal injury. He lucked out that he was only shot in the shoulder. His buddy told him to stay put and he was going to go get help. Gerald refused and pulled himself back to safety. He wasn’t about to be left all alone.
Gerald was taken to a series of Army hospitals where he was cared for from January to October 1845 to recover from a compound fracture in his shoulder and collapsed lungs. He was discharged from the military for medical reasons. During his war time service, he received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, the EAME and Good Conduct medals. He left the service at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
The division pushed toward the Saar on 25 November and entered Germany on the 28th. The 95th seized a Saar River bridge on 3 December and engaged in bitter house-to-house fighting for Saarlautern. Suburbs of the city fell and, although the enemy resisted fiercely, the Saar bridgehead was firmly established by 19 December. While some units went to an assembly area, others held the area against strong German attacks. Many in the unit went door by door clearing buildings. Gerald was about to open a door and his buddy pulled him back in time. He lucked out that he was only shot in the shoulder. His buddy told him to stay put and he was going to go get help. Gerald refused and pulled himself back to safety. He wasn’t about to be left all alone.
In the U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954, Gerald B. Marlatt (age 24) was admitted in January 1945 from being shot while on patrol. He suffered from a fracture/compound in his shoulder. They fixed his fracture with a cast. He also had fluid drained from his collapsed lungs. He was discharged in July 1945 from the Convalescent Hospital. During September 1945, they subsequently moved Gerald to Camp Stoneman in Pittsburgh, California. He remained at the Station Hospital until October 1945. His diagnosis was bone disease. He was discharged from the military for medical reasons. During his war time service, he received received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, the EAME and Good Conduct medals. He left the service at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
The division pushed toward the Saar on 25 November and entered Germany on the 28th. The 95th seized a Saar River bridge on 3 December and engaged in bitter house-to-house fighting for Saarlautern. Suburbs of the city fell and, although the enemy resisted fiercely, the Saar bridgehead was firmly established by 19 December. While some units went to an assembly area, others held the area against strong German attacks. Many in the unit went door by door clearing buildings. Gerald was about to open a door and his buddy pulled him back in time. He lucked out that he was only shot in the shoulder. His buddy told him to stay put and he was going to go get help. Gerald refused and pulled himself back to safety. He wasn’t about to be left all alone.
In the U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954, Gerald B. Marlatt (age 24) was admitted in January 1945 from being shot while on patrol. He suffered from a fracture/compound in his shoulder. They fixed his fracture with a cast. He also had fluid drained from his collapsed lungs. He was discharged in July 1945 from the Convalescent Hospital. During September 1945, they subsequently moved Gerald to Camp Stoneman in Pittsburgh, California. He remained at the Station Hospital until October 1945. His diagnosis was bone disease. He was discharged from the military for medical reasons. During his war time service, he received received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, the EAME and Good Conduct medals. He left the service at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Below are correspondence the family received documenting SSG Marlatt’s combat wounds.
Western Union Telegram
February 3, 1945
Mrs. Laura Marlatt 6720 Kennedy
Regret to inform you that your son Sergeant Gerald B. Marlatt was seriously wounded in action twenty one January in Germany Mail Address followers direct from Hospital with details.
J A Ulio the Adjutant General
Postcard from HQ 4192 U.S. Army Hospital Plant, New York, NY
Dear Mrs. Marlatt,
I am pleased to inform you that on 9 Feb. 1945 your son, S/Sgt. Gerald B. Marlatt, 35097590 was making normal improvement. Diagnosis: Wound on right chest.
Very truly yours,
Thomas F. Pritchard
Postcard from HQ 4192 U.S. Army Hospital Plant, New York, NY
Dear Mrs. Marlatt,
I am pleased to inform you that on 24 Feb. 1945 you son, S/Sgt. Gerald B. Marlatt, 35097590 was making normal improvement.
Very truly yours,
Thomas F. Pritchard
Postcard from HQ 4192 U.S. Army Hospital Plant, New York, NY
Dear Mrs. Marlatt,
I am pleased to inform you that on 9 Mar. 1945 you son, S/Sgt. Gerald B. Marlatt, 35097590 was making normal improvement.
Very truly yours,
Thomas F. Pritchard
Postcard from HQ 4192 U.S. Army Hospital Plant, New York, NY
Dear Mrs. Marlatt,
I am pleased to inform you that on 24 Feb. 1945 you son, S/Sgt. Gerald B. Marlatt, 35097590 was making normal improvement.
Very truly yours,
Thomas W. Lester Jr.
The narrative above was prepared by Michael Pierson in honor my grandfather, Gerald Marlatt.