This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSG Justin Davis
to remember
Cross, Gerald G. "Cicero", Pfc.
If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Parsons
Date of Passing Jan 31, 1970
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
PFC GERALD G. CROSS WAS A STONEMASON BEFORE ENLISTING IN THE AAF ON 8 JULY 1940. HE SERVED WITH THE 1892ND ENGINEER AVIATION BATTALION AS A BRICKLAYER. HE WAS STATIONED IN PANAMA FROM 3 SEPTEMBER 1940 UNTIL RETURNING STATESIDE 19 DECEMBER WHERE HE STAYED UNTIL 26 OCTOBER 1944 WHEN HE WAS SENT TO THE PACIFIC THEATER. HE RETURNED STATESIDE ON 11 JUNE 1945 AND WAS DISCHARGED 24 JUNE 1945. PFC CROSS RETURNED HOME TO PARSONS, WV WHERE HE WORKED AS A WELL KNOWN MASTER STONE MASON. EVERYONE KNEW GERALD AS "CICERO". HE PASSED AWAY IN JANUARY OF 1970.
Description (New Guinea Campaign 24 January 1943 to 31 December 1944) After the loss of Buna and Gona in New Guinea, the Japanese fell back on their stronghold at Lae. Their attempt to reinforce Lae by sea in March 1943 met with disaster when American and Australian planes sank most of the convoy in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Salamaua and Lae then became the objectives for an Allied advance along the northern coast of New Guinea. Fifth Air Force bombers attacked airfields at Wewak, 300 miles west of Lae, to neutralize them. The Allies dropped paratroops at Nadzab, just beyond Lae. Enemy resistance at Salamaua broke on 14 September 1943; Lae fell two days later. In the months that followed, MacArthur’s forces pushed westward, capturing some Japanese strongholds and bypassing others. After taking Hollandia in April 1944, the Allies attacked islands off the northern coast of New Guinea, taking Wakde and Biak in May, Owi in June, and Noemfoor in July. Sansapor on New Guinea also was gained in July. Aerial attacks on the Philippines began in August, and Morotai was seized in October to provide air bases for the invasion of the Philippines. Allied planes also bombed the oil center at Balikpapan and other targets in Borneo and Celebes.