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Allan Edward Gerlach
Lilah Crowe2021-07-24T07:38:53-05:00
- Name: Allan Edward Gerlach
- Location of Birth: Long Prairie, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: April 16, 1918
- Date of Death: February 27, 2012 (93 years old)
- Parents: Anton Gerlach and Genevieve (Siegle) Gerlach
- High School and Class:
- College:
- Highest Rank: T SGT (Technical Sergeant)
- Branch: Army
- Other Branch: United States Army Air Forces
- Date Sworn In:
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
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- Military Awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross with 7 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters and 14 Bronze Clusters.
- Military Highlights:
Allan enlisted in the United States Army Air Force after Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. He was a crew member on a B-26 Bomber and flew 71 missions and 2 on the D-Day Invasion of June 6, 1944.
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Allan's family moved to Ericsburg, Minnesota in 1934.
Allan worked as a logger and operated a trucking company with his dad and four brothers. Allan was later employed at Mando (Boise) Paper Company, retiring after 44 years.
Allan enjoyed farming, gardening and had a tree plantation. He enjoyed his time at his cabin on Rainy Lake with his family. He later moved to International Falls. Due to health reasons, Allan and his wife, Adeline, moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 2009.
Allan was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, the V. F. W., Moose Lodge, Koochiching County Men's Garden Club, Knights of Columbus, Machinist Union and the Salvation Army all of International Falls, Minnesota. He was a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Care Center for many years.
Allan is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Francis, Donald "Bud", Tony, and Cletus; and a grandson, Allan James Gerlach.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Adeline; sons, James (Betty), Brent (Jean); and Scott (Mary); four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Allan died at Garden Court Chateau Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He is buried in Ericsburg Cemetery in Ericsburg, Minnesota.
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
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