100-Year-Old Veteran Honored At Morris County Celebration

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Gerald "Gerry" Gemian, a World War II veteran who turned 100 this summer, was honored by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners this week at a celebration organized by more than a dozen friends and fellow veterans at the Montville Memorial VFW Post 5481.

Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo presented the veteran with a special Morris County "Resolution of Honor" that not only recognized his 100th birthday on August 25 but also his military service to the people of the United States.

“Thank you. Thank you very much. I’m honored,” Gemian said, as the group sat down to a luncheon hosted by the Commissioner.

Gemian enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and served in WWII as a combat radio operator, Staff Sergeant Technician 3rd Grade in the Central Pacific theater with the Joint Assault Signal Company from 1942 to 1945.

During his tours against Japanese forces, which included the Marshall Islands Campaign and invasions of both the Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atoll Groups, he was assigned to the 7th, 27th and 81st United States Army Divisions, as well as the 1st, 2nd, and 4th United States Marine Divisions.

It was some of the bloodiest and deadliest episodes of the war, and Gemian's service included landings in the Mariana and Palau Islands during Admiral Chester William Nimitz's "Island Hopping" campaign as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Ocean Areas, officials said.

But, Gemian managed to survive without being wounded.

“We need to thank you, Gerry. We need to thank you and your entire generation for the sacrifices you made in defense of our nation,” Mastrangelo said.

“One thing that always sustained me is: keep going, keep going. No matter what happens, or what the hell happened, I always managed to move somehow or another,” Gemian said.

While transitioning out of military service, Gemian married Liz, and the couple moved to Montville in 1977, where she died in 2021 at the age of 98. After the war, Gemian worked in the defense industry as a contract administrator for Curtis-Wright Corporation and ITT Avionics.

The "Resolution of Honor" of the Board of County Commissioners stated that Gemian's words about "keeping going" should serve as an inspiration to us all.

The resolution also stated that he should be congratulated on his longevity, praised for his distinguished military service, and bestowed with continued long life and happiness.