After graduating from high school 1911, Augustus Gearhard entered Saint Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, and was ordained a diocesan priest on June 17, 1917. He was curate of Saint Michael’s Parish in Milwaukee until 1918, when he entered military service. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a chaplain on March 21, 1918, and served with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. He was honorably discharged after the war and returned to Saint Michael’s Parish, and in 1920 became Curate at Saint Mary’s Parish, also in Milwaukee. Four years later he became rector of the Fenwick Home for Boys, where he remained until 1942 when he returned to military service as a chaplain with the 5th Air Force. After World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He was promoted to brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve on August 11, 1950, and subsequently retired at that rank.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Chaplain)Action Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Chaplain) Augustus Francis Gearhard, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chaplain of the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gearhard and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
328th Infantry RegimentDivision:
82d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
September 15 – 16, October 3 – 20, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 142 (1918)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Augustus Francis Gearhard, United States Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 328th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Norroy and Vandieres, France, September 15 – 16, 1918, and at Chatel Chehery and Sommerance, France, October 3 – 20. During this advance of his regiment from Norroy to Vandieres Chaplain Gearhard displayed exceptional bravery and fidelity to his duties by working two days and nights without sleeping, recovering and removing to the rear the killed and wounded, making frequent trips into no man’s land under heavy shell fire for this purpose. In the operations at Chatel-Chehery and Sommerance this officer again distinguished himself by remaining constantly at the advanced aid station assisting the surgeon, administering aid to the wounded, cheering and comforting them.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps) Augustus Francis Gearhard, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed hostile force while serving as Chaplain of the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations in 1942 and 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Gearhard, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.