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| Photo of Gerald Larsen provided by his daughter Geraldine Larsen Williams. |
Gerald T. Larsen could have been 100 years old today.
He was born on April 11, 1917 in Utah. His parents were also both born in Utah. His father was a farmer. Gerald had an older brother and sister and one younger sister and three younger brothers. By 1940 Gerald had completed four years of high school and was working as a farm laborer while still living with his parents. He married his wife Sylvia on February 9, 1941 and they had a daughter Geraldine.
Gerald was inducted into the military on March 6, 1943. He became a private in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.
Pvt Larsen first saw action on Namur Island in February 1944. He was involved in the Battle of Saipan from the first day on June 15, 1944 and fought for over three weeks in a bloody battle that resulted in 30,000 Japanese dead soldiers and 3,426 dead or missing Americans. The island was deemed secure on July 9, 1944, but the Marines still suffered casualties. Pvt. Larsen died on July 12, 1944.
His remains were returned to be buried at Richfield City Cemetery. His wife remarried after the war and died in 2009.
07/10/2020 UPDATE: The family of Pvt. Larsen has contacted me and provided me with these first hand details: He graduated High School in 1937. Married Sylvia Hopkins February 9, 1941. He worked as a boiler mechanic. Went overseas January 11, 1944. Co 1 24th Marines 3rd Battalion 4th Division. Fought in the Marshall Islands. Was 27 years old when killed on Saipan. Buried in US Military cemetery on Saipan. When US closed that cemetery he was brought home to Richfield City Cemetery. His wife married Talmage S. Anderson November 4th, 1949.
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As I looked at his photo it occurred to me how very young he was to have his life cut short. I thought of the great sorrow that would have been to his parents and his family and to his young bride! He is just one of many who gave their lives so that I could live mine so richly.
ReplyDeleteI love this site and the honor we have the privilege of giving. I did notice there was one error above. Gerald's wife is actually named Sylvia. She is my grandmother. She remarried Talmage Anderson, also a WWII veteran, after the war.
ReplyDeleteRichard, I corrected the name of your grandmother. Do you have any photos of Gerald I could add to the profile?
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