Gerald C. Kelleher was born on July 8, 1908, in Albany, Albany County, New York. He was the son of Cornelius P. Kelleher and Alice Lindquest Kelleher. He was married to Mary Rose Gehring Kelleher. In November 1942, he served with the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (the “Big Red One”), and participated in the Allied landings in North Africa. He initially served as a Platoon Leader and was later promoted to Captain and Company Commander. He subsequently rose to the rank of Major and served as Battalion Executive Officer (XO), and later received a battlefield promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. During the North African campaign, he was captured twice by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps but successfully escaped on both occasions. In 1944 and 1945, he continued his service in Europe, commanding first a battalion and later a regiment in the 104th Infantry Division, known as the “Timberwolves.”

On November 10, 1942, Major Gerald C. Kelleher commanded the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, during the Oran offensive in Algeria, personally leading a successful assault under heavy enemy fire. On March 28, 1943, as a Lieutenant Colonel, he skillfully led his battalion across difficult enemy terrain to secure its objective despite strong opposition. On April 27, 1943, near Beja, Tunisia, he reorganized a company under intense fire, enabling it to repel an enemy attack. Later, on October 29, 1944, while commanding the 3rd Battalion, 415th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in the Netherlands, he demonstrated extraordinary heroism and leadership, earning the Distinguished Service Cross.

Following the war, Colonel Kelleher was assigned to lead a U.S. security detachment responsible for guarding prisoners during the Nuremberg Trials. During the Korean War, on April 24–25, 1951, Colonel Kelleher served as Commanding Officer of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. His courageous and aggressive leadership during a major enemy attack enabled his unit to withdraw successfully with minimal casualties.

After the war, Kelleher continued his distinguished military career. In February 1956, he was promoted to Brigadier General and served as Chief of the Army Section of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Japan. He later became Deputy Division Commander of the 101st Airborne Division (“Screaming Eagles”) and was assigned as Deputy Commanding General of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in December 1957. In 1981, he was honored by New York Governor Hugh Carey at the Governor’s Mansion in Albany. Kelleher died on November 23, 2003, and is now buried on November 23, 2003, and is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, en.wikipedia.org