Wrong First Name -!!!
While browsing through my dad's WWII photos, I selected the image below yesterday to share on the private Facebook group, “85th Infantry Division Custer,” which has 708 members, including the children of 85th Division soldiers. It’s a rare vintage photo measuring 2.5” x 3.5”.
On the back of this photo, I wrote the following.
Partisan Parade
Belluno, Italy
25 May, 1945
Right to left: Lt. Col. Russell Boyt, Col. Oliver Hughes, Major Curtis (A.M.G), and Brig. Gen. Leonard Gerow.
The men in the front row might be Italian Partisans.
On May 2, 1945, the German Army and Italian Fascist forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in Italy. My dad’s 337th Infantry Regiment was tasked with occupying the charming city of Belluno, Italy, where the residents greeted them with warm cheers. (My dad's official military title at the end of World War II was Acting Captain Paul Edward Gorrell, First Battalion Company D, 337th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, of the Fifth Army.)
As the webmaster of the "Custermen" website, dedicated to preserving the history of the 85th Division, Steve Cole became puzzled after examining the name of Brig. Gen. Leonard Gerow. He pointed out that, according to Wikipedia, on January 15, 1945, this general took command of the Fifteenth Army. Cole paused and said, “This would mean he NEVER served any command in Italy. What is he doing there?”
I had to respond by enclosing the back of this small photo.
I warned the readers that the handwriting of “Leonard” was not my dad's. Looking at it, I believed that my dad did not know the general’s first name at that time.
After noting A.M.G. (Allied Military Government of the occupied territory), I realized that Leonard’s army assumed the role of an Allied Military Government, organizing and establishing a civilian administration. So I had hypothesized that Leonard was sent to Belluno to train.
Once again, I found out Leonard graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, VA, just 37 miles from my apartment. So I visited the VMI Museum website and became frustrated after not seeing Leonard’s location in Italy.
So I asked AI, “Any VMI alumni serving the 85th Division in WWII?” Here is the answer:
VMI alumnus Brigadier General Lee Sander Gerow from the Class of 1913 served as the Assistant Commanding General of the 338th Regiment, 85th Infantry Division during World War II.
Gerow was the younger brother of General Leonard T. Gerow, a VMI graduate of 1911, who led V Corps and the U.S. Fifteenth Army during the war.
In WWII, the 85th Division participated in the Italian campaign, navigating mountainous terrain against heavy German resistance. The division engaged at the Gothic Line and later pushed into the Po Valley, where they accepted a mass surrender of German forces in May 1945.
Holy Cow! The first name should be LEE, not Leonard. Psst, it was not my dad’s fault.
We have heard of Eisenhower, Patton, Marshall, MacArthur, Bradley, and so on.
Have you ever considered the possibility of two brothers serving as generals in World War II simultaneously? Nope, I hadn't until last night.
Oh, wow. That's a strong facial resemblance.
The picture above reads, “Meeting of the War Plans Division of the War Department General Staff in March 1942. Lee S. Gerow is second from the left; his brother Leonard T. Gerow is seated immediately to the left of Dwight D. Eisenhower.” It also states, “Unknown military photographer of Signal Corps - U.S. War Department Library.”
For WWII history enthusiasts: Here is the complete list of names from the meeting of the War Plans Division, War Department General Staff in 1942. From left to right: William K. Harrison Jr., Lee S. Gerow, Robert W. Crawford, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Leonard T. Gerow, Thomas T. Handy, Stephen H. Sherrill, John L. McKee, and Jay W. MacKelvie.
Oh, Gee. I should visit the VMI Museum to learn more about Lee.
NOTE: The 85th Infantry Division was made up of three infantry regiments: the 337th, 338th, and 339th. My dad served with the 337th, while Lee commanded the 338th.
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My gratitude goes to Andrea Brini from Bologna, Italy, for creating the Facebook page, “85th Infantry Division Custer,” on February 27, 2012, because he wanted to connect with these children in the USA. His private group has grown to 708 members, and we have shared stories and pictures among the children to preserve our men's World War II history.
