Gerry Platt's Story ...
Gerald Platt entered the service on March 24. 1944 together with his very good and dear friend John (Jack) Luttrell. Gerry was born in Painted Post. Gerry and John were both raised in LeRoy NY ... 50 miles East of Buffalo NY.
Gerry gratuated from LeRoy High School in 1940. In 1942/43 Gerry had a farm deferment as he worked on a rather large farm on the outskirts of LeRoy where his father was the foreman of the farms. Gerry was an only child of Gerry Sr. and Lila Platt. They were pleased that Gerry had the deferment, but according to his friend John, Gerry did not feel particularly comfortable with it. Parents, of course, never want to see a son go off to war and in their case even more so as he being the only child.
Waterfalls near Gerry's hometown LeRoy NYWhen Gerry found out that John was going into the service he immediately said that he would give up his deferment and go also. He informed the draft board of his decision, much to the unhappiness of his parents.
Gerry and John past their physicals in late February 1944 and on March 24th 1944 they proceeded to Ft. Dix, NJ. to be inducted into the army. Gerry was assigned to the Infantry and John was assigned to the Air Corps. They lost track of each other only because they moved around a lot.
Ft. Dix New Jersey early 1944John was located just outside of Paris when he got word of Gerry's death and couldn't help to feel proud when he learned that Gerry had won a Bronze Star for bravery.
Gerry fought in the 345th Infantry Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division when he was killed near Tambach-Dietz. According to some of the men who were wounded that day a severe fire-fight took place near a small German village called Kleinschmalkalden. The town was heavily defended by roadblocks, SS and Hitleryouth. "They only surrendered when they had no ammo left." recalls one of the men who were wounded. That day Gerry's company listed 8 men killed and 22 wounded, one of the men killed was Company Commander 1Lt. Ralph E Hall.
Kleinschmalkalden (G) where Gerry was killedGerry was first buried in Butzbach, Germany-- Plot A, Row 12, Grave 298 on April 11, 1945. He was relocated shortly after the war and found his final resting place at the American Military Cemetery of the Netherlands, at Margraten.
During his period in combat, Gerry Platt was awarded with the Bronze Star (posthumously) and the Purple Heart.
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CITATION
BRONZE STAR
"For heroic achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States near Stutzhaus, Germany, 6 April 1945. When Private First Class Platt's platoon encountered an enemy road block, the advance squad was cut off by intense rocket launcher, small arms and machine gun fire from the enemy force covering the obstacle. Crawling from his position of comparative safety, Private First Class Platt moved forward in the direction of the hostile machine gun emplacement and killed the crew with accurate rifle fire. While returning to his squad, Private First Class Platt was killed by a burst of enemy fire. Private First Class Platt's courage and loyal devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service."
Edward F. Witsell, Major GeneralActing the Adjutant General
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The date of death seems to be a problem cause there are different stories and facts that contradict. The headstones of the men buried at Margraten and killed at Tambach state the date of death 8 April 1945. While the headstone of 1Lt Ralph E Hall (the Company Commander), Gerry's Bronze Star citation and several eyewitness-accounts point to the date of 6 April 1945. We will probably never know the exact date, what is more important is the fact that many men lost their lives during that tragic day ... dreams were shattered ... families torn apart ... all to give us back the freedom we still enjoy today !
PFC Gerald Platt's final resting placeSpecial thanks to Gerry's best friend John (Jack) Luttrell and to Mrs Irene Walters (LeRoy Historian).