Major General Francis R. Gerard has passed away

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Major General Francis R. Gerard has passed away

Date: 2008-11-04

Sad news came in today, informing that Major General Francis R. Gerard followed his wartime friends on the flight through the never ending blue skies...

 This is also a great loss to our Museum. General Gerard was one of our dear friends, veterans of the air battle that we are researching for so many years. It was a great honor for us, having Frank Gerard as one of our honorary guests during the opening of our Museum in September 1997.

I will never forget the time spent with Frank Gerard. His meeting with Major General Frank Perina, Czech fighter Ace from the Battle of France in 1940 and later a member of RAF or the Mass Celebration for the fallen airmen on September 11th, 1944 that we held as part of the Museum opening days in our St. Michael's Church in Kovarska - in three languages. It was the battle leading ace, an American Hero Frank Gerard who was reading a passage in English from the Holy Bible during the Mass. The church was full of Kovarska citizens and especially of the Museum opening guests, including American and German airmen, veterans of the battle and also family members of the fallen airmen. It was such a moving experience, that I will never forget.

Have successful mission, Sir!

 

Jan Zdiarsky,
November 4th, 2008 

 

Photo above:
Major General Frank Gerard on 13th September 1997
after the opening of the Museum.

 


Current view of the showcase dedicated to
Gen. Francis R. Gerard
(since Sept. 2008)

 


Detail of the current view
(since Sept. 2008)



A 1/48 scale model of Lt. Gerard's P-51 "Yi-Yi"
he flew on September 11th, 1944
 


Former version of the Museum showcase dedicated
to the battle leading ace Lt. Gerard.
Note the original cigar, typical for Frank Gerard (left bottom)


Personal photo signed with regards for the Museum.

 


 

Francis R. Gerard, 84; led N.J. National Guard

North Jersey
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
BY JAY LEVIN

Retired Maj. Gen. Francis R. Gerard, a World War II flying ace who commanded the New Jersey National Guard in the Kean administration, died Saturday at his home in Point Pleasant.
The Lyndhurst native was 84.
Major General Gerard, a 1941 graduate of Lyndhurst High School, had an illustrious military career. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces at 18. During World War II, he shot down eight enemy aircraft from his Mustang fighter plane — four of them in one furious engagement over Leipzig, Germany. For that feat, he received the Silver Star, one of his many commendations.
He logged 420 combat hours during the war — all before his 21st birthday.
After the war, he attended Lafayette College and John Marshall Law College, and joined the New Jersey Air National Guard. He was recalled to active duty for the Korean War and the Berlin Crisis.
Major General Gerard held a variety of state posts, including aeronautics director in the Transportation Department. Gov. Thomas H. Kean named him chief of staff in the Department of Defense.
Major General Gerard received two high honors in 1983 — the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, presented by Kean, and induction into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame.
He retired from military and state service in 1989.
Major General Gerard was predeceased by his first wife, Yolanda Mion. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Dr. Adriana Stolte-Gerard; two sons, two daughters, three stepsons, three brothers, one sister, four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
The visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2170 Highway 88, Brick Township. The funeral Mass will be Thursday at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's R.C. Church in Point Pleasant Beach. Interment will be in the New Jersey Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown.


 

Francis R. Gerard
Star-Ledger on 11/4/2008
(NOTE, THIS ARTICLE MENTION OUR MUSEUM)

Decorated war veteran, active in community, 84 Major General Francis R. Gerard, USAF (ret), age 84, of Point Pleasant died Saturday, Nov. 1, at home peacefully in his own bed. His wife, Dr. Adriana Stolte-Gerard (the Doctor), and many family members and friends were with him 'til the end. Born on July 11, 1924, to Anthony and Rose (Gentile) Gerard in Belleville, General Gerard grew up in Lyndhurst and lived in Sea Girt prior to moving to Point Pleasant 20 years ago. After graduating from Lyndhurst High School in 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in October 1942, was commissioned as a second Lieutenant and rated as a pilot in August 1943. During combat service in World War II, General Gerard flew the P-51 Mustang while serving with the 503rd Fighter Squadron, 339th Fighter Group of the Eighth Air Force based in Fowlmere, England. During the war, he completed two combat tours consisting of 420 combat hours in 91 aerial missions. The General was an "Ace" having destroyed eight German fighters in aerial combat - four of which were shot down near Leipzig, Germany, on Sept. 11, 1944, during one furious 12-minute battle, with 14 US P-51 fighter pilots defending their B-17 bombers against an onslaught of over 150 German fighters. There is a museum in Kavorska, Czech Republic, dedicated to this aerial battle with a special showcase of General Gerard as the most successful fighter of the battle. After the war, he attended Lafayette College and John Marshall Law College, became an Attorney at Law and joined the New Jersey Air National Guard, eventually rising to the rank of Major General in 1977. General Gerard was recalled for active duty for the Korean Conflict and again in response to the Berlin Crisis. During his illustrious career, he commanded the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing, was Special Assistant to the Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command, Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, and Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff (Adjutant General), New Jersey Department of Defense. He served as the Adjutant General of New Jersey under Governor Thomas H. Kean from 1982 until his retirement from both military and state service in 1989. Among the General's major awards and medals are, The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign Medal with six Battle Stars, National Defense Service Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation. He was awarded the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal in 1983 and an Oak Leaf Cluster in 1988. In 1983, he was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame. The General was honored by Rotary International as a Paul Harris Fellow, was named the Christopher Columbus Italian-American Man of the Year by the Italian Tribune as well as inducted into the Italian-American National Hall of Fame, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 711 and the AMVETs. General Gerard was the beloved husband of 20 years to Dr. Adriana Stolte-Gerard and previously beloved husband of 40 years to the late Yolanda Mion. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, David Gerard and Jessica Lenard of Summit, Diana and Stephen Lobertini of Knoxville, Donald and Margo Gerard of Sea Girt, and Daria Gerard and Michael Onorato of Burlington; three stepsons, Aldo Stolte of Nashville, Tenn., Robert Stolte and Luca Stolte, both of Point Pleasant; four grandchildren, Stacey, Brian, Adam and Jeremy Gerard; daughter-in-law, Lori Gerard of Florida; two step-grandchildren, Ari Molovinsky and Eric Onorato; brothers, Victor of Florida and Anthony of North Carolina and Robert Gerard of Upper Saddle River; sister, Mildred Fantacone of Florida, and many nieces and nephews and friends including lifelong friend, Al Veltre. Although the General was entitled to burial services at Arlington National Cemetery, he chose to have his services with his New Jersey comrades in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2170 Hwy 88, Brick. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday, Nov 6. at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's R.C. Church, Point Pleasant Beach. Interment will follow at the N.J. Veteran's Cemetery in Arneytown at 11 a.m.