Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery was a decorated veteran of World War II.

In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-84E Thunderjet fighter with Headquarters Squadron, 136th Fighter Bomber Wing.

On March 3, 1952, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, he bailed out off the coast of North Korea.

For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

On 3 May 2004 an "In Memory Of" headstone will be placed in the Colonel's name in Arlington National Cemetery.

USAF Photo

MONTGOMERY, GERALD EMERSON
LTCOL   US AIR FORCE
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 10/10/1950 - 03/03/1952
DATE OF BIRTH: 07/10/1922
DATE OF DEATH: 03/03/1952
DATE OF INTERMENT: 03/03/1952
BURIED AT: SECTION MF  SITE 16
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Air Medal (17)

Purple Heart