- Name: Gerald Dennis Chamberlain
- Location of Birth: Clontarf, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: February 20, 1915
- Date of Death: May 17, 1991
- Parents: Dennis Chamberlain & Elizabeth (Martin) Chamberlain
- High School and Class: 1934 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
- College:
- Highest Rank:
- Branch: Navy
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: April 13, 1945
- Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date of Discharge: March 8, 1946
- Place of Discharge:
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Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served April 1945 U.S. Navala Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois - Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: Gerald Dennis Chamberlain
Race: White
Age: 24
Birth Date: February 20, 1915
Birth Place: Clontarf, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Taconite, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: October 16, 1940
Employer: Pickands Mather Co., Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota
Weight: 160
Height: 5-7
Complexion: Dark brown
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Black
Next of Kin: Mrs. Dennis J. Chamberlain, mother, Taconite, Itasca, Minnesota
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - May 11, 1945 - "Gerald Dennis Chamberlain, 30, husband of Mrs. Margaret Carol Chamberlain of Bovey, is receiving his initial Naval indoctrination at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. His recruit training consists of instruction in seamanship, military drill and general Naval procedure. During this period a series of aptitude tests will be taken by the recruit to determine whether he will be assigned to a Naval Service School, to a shore station, or to immediate duty at sea. When his recruit training is completed, the seaman will receive a period of leave."
Newspaper article: Jun 1945 – Gerald Chamberlain A/S, Great Lakes, Ill., says: “The money belt I received as a going-away gift was greatly appreciated, especially when a person wears these navy uniforms, as they are not very well equipped with pockets. The Navy sure keeps a fellow busy. We get up at 5:30 a.m. Clean up the barracks, eat chow, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., we go to classes, lectures, movies and drill practice. After evening chow we scrub our clothes, and I do mean scrub (with a brush); there are no Maytags in navy boot camp. So if I am a little late in giving thanks, don’t think I am running around Chicago. We are not allowed to leave this post until the day we graduate. On June 28 I’m taking the first train I see going toward Taconite and Bovey. I’ll be seeing you.”
- Wars Involved:
World War II - MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Gerald Chamberlain started work in 1936 for the Danube Mine and continued there after his discharge from service, operating a crane for over 30 years. He was a member of the United Steel Workers of America; held office for the Danube Credit Union; worked for School Dist. 316 in Coleraine as a custodian and stockroom manager for 15 years; and served multiple terms on the school board for School Dist. 316.
He died in Deer River, Minnesota and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, Minnesota (Block 140, Lot 33). He is survived by his wife, Margaret; two sons, William and Curtis; two brothers, Martin and Terrence; three sisters, Kathleen LeClair, Madeline (Al) Medina; and Shirley (Richard) Stocco; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Elizabeth; two brothers, C. J. and Allen; and one sister, Muriel. - Tribal Affiliation(s):