GERALD ROLAND SCHROEDER b. 1925 Michigan d. Feb 1, 1943
Missing in Action/Declaration of Death Solomon Islands, New
Georgia
Pvt 387518 USMC 1st
Marine Aircraft Wing Scout Bombing Sq 131
Buried Ft. Wm McKinley, Manila, Philippines
Parents: Leonard R. & Ivadel
Siblings: Jack, Dale
Father Leonard was born in Canada, immigrated to
the US in 1914. He was employed as a bench worker in a manufacturing company. Census
records show the family at 15765 Chapel, but all military data lists address as
15761 Chapel. Both houses are now gone, replaced by new homes filling in what
was for too long empty overgrown fields.
Gerry entered the service April 13, 1942. The
squadron left San Francisco on Sept 6, 1942 onboard the USS Mount Vernon
heading for Hawaii. In November 1942 the squadron was reorganized as the first
Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron and became part of the Cactus Air force during
the Battle of Guadalcanal.
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| TBF-1 Avenger |
The TBF-1 Avenger Torpedo Bomber carried a crew of
three; pilot, tunnel gunner/radioman, turret gunner. George H.W. Bush flew a
TBM Avenger; Paul Newman trained to be an Avenger pilot but as he was color
blind didn’t qualify.
Gerry was an Avenger radioman/gunner assigned to
VMSB-131. He participated in the campaign for the northern Solomon Islands and
Feb 1 took part in an afternoon strike against Japanese ships near Munda. Over
the target the bombers were attacked by 10-15 Japanese ‘Zero’ fighter planes. Immediately
after dropping its payload the plan TBF-1 01742 was hit. It cartwheeled and
slammed into the water. Nobody ever saw the crew alive again. All four Marines
were declared dead on Feb. 3, 1945. M/Sgt Julien was the pilot, Robert
Montgomery a passenger.
It seems there should be more to remember him by,
other than a photo of a plane. What will be found of us when we are dead and
gone?
He received the Purple Heart Medal.
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