Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Love
Gerrity
1925-03-04

–

2007-01-18

Born:

, 

New Mexico

Home:

Albuquerque

, 

New Mexico

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

John Gerrity graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1947. He retired in 1979 as a U.S. Army Major General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1975 – 1979
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John Love Gerrity, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Department of the Army, from 1975 to 1979. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Gerrity and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1971 – 1972
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General John Love Gerrity, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Armored Division, Germany, from 1971 to 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Gerrity and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1973 – 1975
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General John Love Gerrity, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer, Supreme Allied Command, Europe, from 1973 to 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Gerrity and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    June 22 – December 7, 1970
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Cavalry) John Love Gerrity, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 22 June 1970 to 7 December 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gerrity and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    June 26, 1970
    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 4432 (December 7, 1970)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Cavalry) John Love Gerrity, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 26 June 1970 while serving as the Regimental Commander with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Colonel Gerrity arrived at Fire Support Base SUSAN shortly before it was suddenly attacked by an enemy force of unknown size. Ignoring the incoming mortar and heavy small arms fire, Colonel Gerrity immediately returned to his aircraft and once airborne, located the enemy mortar positions, called in gunships, and personally directed them in the silencing of the mortars. As the battle continued, he personally ordered his aircraft to land in response to an urgent medical evacuation call. Despite the intense fire and the risk of his own life, he assisted in the loading of the wounded men. Although dangerously close to the maximum allowable weight of his helicopter, he ordered the aircraft to take off and proceed to Quan Loi, where the men could receive medical attention. This done, he returned to Fire Support Base SUSAN to assist in the final defeat of the enemy. Colonel Gerrity’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1969
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Cavalry) John Love Gerrity, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, from 1967 to 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gerrity and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Action Date:

    1965 – 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Cavalry) John Love Gerrity, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with United States Army, Vietnam, from 1965 to 1966. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gerrity and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.