Pvt. Gerald Lamson Ayers was the son of William M. and Bessie Robinson Ayers. He graduated from Windsor High School in 1941 and was a member of the school band, active in athletics and other school organizations.
Gerald enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Cleveland, Ohio September 28, 1942.
Pvt. Ayers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the President of the United States. The Citation was presented posthumously and the full text follows:
"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gerald Lamson Ayers (475522), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q, FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion, in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. While bringing well-aimed fire to bear on strong enemy positions, Private Ayers was severely wounded and later died from these wounds. However, his critical wounds neither interfered with his fire nor his alertness and when he discovered an enemy machine gun about to open fire, he passed word back to his comrades and directed fire of his platoon upon it. Refusing evacuation until the Japanese strong point had been obliterated, Private Ayers' action saved the lives of many of the men in his company. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Private Ayers on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Headquarters: U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 510 (1943)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart.
Gerald enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Cleveland, Ohio September 28, 1942.
Pvt. Ayers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the President of the United States. The Citation was presented posthumously and the full text follows:
"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gerald Lamson Ayers (475522), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q, FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion, in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. While bringing well-aimed fire to bear on strong enemy positions, Private Ayers was severely wounded and later died from these wounds. However, his critical wounds neither interfered with his fire nor his alertness and when he discovered an enemy machine gun about to open fire, he passed word back to his comrades and directed fire of his platoon upon it. Refusing evacuation until the Japanese strong point had been obliterated, Private Ayers' action saved the lives of many of the men in his company. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Private Ayers on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Headquarters: U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 510 (1943)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart.
Pvt. Gerald Lamson Ayers was the son of William M. and Bessie Robinson Ayers. He graduated from Windsor High School in 1941 and was a member of the school band, active in athletics and other school organizations.
Gerald enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Cleveland, Ohio September 28, 1942.
Pvt. Ayers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the President of the United States. The Citation was presented posthumously and the full text follows:
"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gerald Lamson Ayers (475522), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q, FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion, in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. While bringing well-aimed fire to bear on strong enemy positions, Private Ayers was severely wounded and later died from these wounds. However, his critical wounds neither interfered with his fire nor his alertness and when he discovered an enemy machine gun about to open fire, he passed word back to his comrades and directed fire of his platoon upon it. Refusing evacuation until the Japanese strong point had been obliterated, Private Ayers' action saved the lives of many of the men in his company. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Private Ayers on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Headquarters: U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 510 (1943)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart.
Gerald enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Cleveland, Ohio September 28, 1942.
Pvt. Ayers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the President of the United States. The Citation was presented posthumously and the full text follows:
"The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gerald Lamson Ayers (475522), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q, FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion, in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. While bringing well-aimed fire to bear on strong enemy positions, Private Ayers was severely wounded and later died from these wounds. However, his critical wounds neither interfered with his fire nor his alertness and when he discovered an enemy machine gun about to open fire, he passed word back to his comrades and directed fire of his platoon upon it. Refusing evacuation until the Japanese strong point had been obliterated, Private Ayers' action saved the lives of many of the men in his company. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Private Ayers on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Headquarters: U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 510 (1943)
He was also awarded the Purple Heart.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Ohio.
Family Members
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