Gerald F. Wipfli

Imagine dawn breaking over Schmidt, Germany, on November 8, 1944. The world was struggling through the middle of World War II, and a brave little infantry, in the heart of the enemy’s land, was being forced to withdraw. As heads were counted, the brave men came to a sad realization. Gerald F. Wipfli was missing in action. Later that day the young man, only twenty-two, was declared dead.

Gerald Wipfli was born on February 13, 1923, in Nekoosa, WI, and there he remained throughout his childhood, attending the schools in the Nekoosa area. After leaving high school, Gerald applied for and received a job at the Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Company. There Wipfli worked for a short time before deciding to take a different turn in his life by enrolling in the U.S. Service in September of 1942. At this time the U.S. needed soldiers to fight in WWII. So, after one year of training to become a field officer, Wipfli went overseas. In Europe he saw action as a runner with company one of the 112th infantry, 28th division. During this time, Wipfli had a status of Private First Class. Private First Class is a rank above Private and below Corporal in the army. One gains this rank automatically after at least twelve months of service and four months as a Private. However, after only a year of fighting for his country, Wipfli died while trying to help protect loved ones against the Germans ruled by Hitler.

When Gerald Wipfli died, he left behind a large and devastated family. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dominick Wipfli. Also in his family were his three brothers and nine sisters. Large families were common during that time, however, and many such families were devastated by the loss of a loved one during WWII.

"I have returned many times to honor the valiant men who died…every man who set foot on Omaha Beach was a hero."
-Lieutenant General Omar Bradley - Commander of the US First Army -
(Speaking after the war) Not just those men which set foot on Omaha Beach, but every man who spent time overseas for the sake of his country was a hero. Gerald Wipfli was one of the many courageous soldiers to go missing during the duration of WWII. Today these men live on in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.

Bibliography: http://www.worldwar-2.net/famous-quotes/famous-quotes-index.htm (quote)

Christine Tyler, Student
Marshfield Junior High

Gerald Wipfli was a great man in the United States Army in World War II. Gerald was born on February 13th, 1923 in Nekoosa, WI and died on November 9th, 1945 while in action.

Gerald went to Nekoosa schools from Kindergarten through high school. He was employed by the Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company for a short time before entering service in September, 1942. Following a year's training, he went overseas where he saw action for a year as a runner with Company One of the 112th Infantry, 28th Division. While he was overseas he earned the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He died in Schmidt, Germany.



Written By:

Marci Wefel

East Junior High School