Carroll Jennings Gjerde (1917-1945)

GJERDE, SWENSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/6/2020 at 10:03:04

From Nevada Evening Journal October 1, 1946 (page 3)

Memorial Services For Roland Boys At Salem Chruch

Roland, Oct. 1: Salem's Lutheran Church was filled to capacity on Sunday afternoon when memorial services were held for Carroll Gjerde and William Quam. The church was beautifully decorated with baskets of red dahlias and pastel shade of gladioli. White gladioli were the back ground for the pictures of the deceased and tall lighted white tapers were on either side. The Roland Post 307, American Legion had charge of the services and the American Auxiliary attended in the body as did the members of the graduating classes.

The following program was given:

Organ Prelude "Largo", Mr. Ness
Hymn "Come, Ye Disconsolate"
Vocal Duet, "He Will Answer Prayer,"--Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Boyd
Reading of Life Sketch, Telegrams, Letters, Memorial Gifts
Vocal Quartet, "Cover Them Over With Flowers", Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Swertson and Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Boyd
Sermon, "The Soldiers Who Did Not Return"--The Pastor
Vocal solo, "The Lord is My Shepherd"--Miss Wilma Osheim
Presentation of the Flag==American Legion Post 307. Ray Breen, Commander; Otto J. Hanson Chaplain
Taps
Benediction
Recessional

Carroll Jennings Gjerde, son of Mr. and Mrs. Iver Gjerde, was born at Roland, September 30, 1917, baptized and confirmed in Salem Lutheran church. He graduated from Roland High School in 1935, and Iowa State College at Ames in July 1942. He was employed as inspector at the Rock Island arsenal for one year. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in July 1943 and received his training as bombardier-navigator at several fields and was commissioned Flight Officer in the Army Air Forces.

He was sent overseas to England in November 1944 and was assigned to a B-17 Flying Fortress as bombardier-navigator. Shortly after arriving in England he was promoted to Second Lieutenant and was awarded the Air Medal while taking part in the Eighth Air Force bombing attacks on vital German targets.

He was reported missing in action on April 7, 1945, and April 7, 1946 was declared killed in action. He was commissioned First Lieutenant as of April 9, 1945, two days after he was reported missing.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Iver Gjerde, three sisters, Mrs. Amy Swenson of Ellsworth, Ardis and Alice at home and one brother, Erwin also at home. One brother, Palmer, died Novemer 22, 1932 at the age of 7 years.