Senior Pilot's Badge
Decorations
with
3
Unit
Citation
and Awards
with
Oak Leaf Cluster
Service Awards
with
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Capt.
Gerald N. Matts
Airplane Commander
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Gerald
N. Matts was born April 23, 1923 in Virginia, Minnesota.
On
16 May 1942, he enlisted in the Army at the age of 19
years old at Hibbing, Minnesota. He served 1 year and
12 days and received his Honorable Discharge on 27 May
1943 - Craig Field- Selma, Alabama from the Army to
become a 2nd Lt. in the Army Air Corps.
At
the age of 22, he became aircraft commander of his B-29,
he named his plane after his home town "City of Virginia".
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click
on images to enlarge
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Post
cards home
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Click
on images to enlarge
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Courtesy
of Kenneth Hill
Jerry's cousin
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Jerry
Matts is back row 1st man (Lto R); other men unknow
at this time.
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Photo
taken: Mt. Home AFB, Idaho |
During
his flying career, he was awarded 4 Air
Medals, The Asiatic-Pacific
Ribbion with one battle
star and other numerous awards.
During
Gerald's 30-years of service he served in WWII, Korea
and Vetnam, had 22,000 hours of flying time which included
not only B-29's but with SAC
in B-47's and other assorted aircraft and retired with
the rank of Lt. Colonel.
He
flew air supply from Clark AFB to Korea and again from
Travis AFB and Hickam to Vietnam.
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When
he was suppose to go into 5th grade, the teacher advanced
him to 6th so instead of graduating with the Virginia,
Minnesota high school class of 1941, he graduated
in 1940.
His
interests during his school years included Band, Orchestra,
Hi-Y, Baseball, Football, Curling, Intramural Hockey,
Booster Club.
He
was inquisitive, talented and friendly
photo
& text: "Star of the North" High School
Annaul 1940
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Gerald
spent numerous summers on Lake Vermilion in Northern Minnesota.
He died of a heart attack at his home at Vacaville, California
September 1981. He was creamated and his remains were
scattered in Lake Vermillion,
Minnesota. |
Photos
and Information on Gerald N. Matts compliments of his
younger brother, John Matts. To contact him:
John
Matts
8595 Peterson Rd.
Cook, MN 55723
(218) 666-2335
or
email family friend, Lenny Lindgren at lencurl@rangenet.com
and he will forward your emails to John Matts.
Many
thanks to Lenny Lindgren for contacting me about Gerald
Matts and assisting with gathering of information and
photos.
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