We also have the census records which would have him listed. My husband was in the 101st Airborne, training at Fort Benning, GA., during WW2. His place of battle was in Holland and Belgium, during the "Battle of the Bulge". Your Gerry Thurston must have been very young, as my husband born 1919 was young and he was older than your boy. I understand the Paratroopers were among the most gallant and brave men in our service. My husband was wounded once, and then went back again after recovery, and was dreadfully wounded again.......at which point he was not useful to fight. I don't know about your person, but my husband had no "Psychological therapy" whatsoever, after returning, and the impact of the war experiences has had some devistating effects upon him and his life. The same may have been true for yours. Whatever his kids might think, he was a good man, among the BEST. The Veterans Administration may be able to help also, in that they may have some history on him. Good Luck, Sincerely, Gloria Daum ---------- > From: Joyce Bard <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [VTCALEDO] THURSTON surname > Date: Friday, February 13, 1998 8:46 PM > > > > Evan R. Strohl wrote: > > > Dear List, > > I notice more traffic on this line in the last few weeks. > > > > If I can, I'd like to post my request once again. > > > > I'm looking for someone who might know the person or surname > > of Gerald E. THURSTON, of Hardwick, Vermont. > > He was born in 1924 (stories are conflicting as to where) > > but spent his childhood and adolescent years in Hardwick, > > living with either his parents or his grandparents. > > They eventually sent him to a military school for a few years. > > (Is there a military school around this part of the county?) > > One night, in the middle of the night, all the students were > > rousted out, told they had 1 hour to get their duffle bags packed, > > they were going to fight the war (WWII). Gerry was sent to Ft. > > Benning, in 1941, as soon as he finished a short boot camp, and > > he told me he became one of our county's FIRST paratroopers. > > He made his first jump over Italy, I think, and was shot almost > > immediately, sent to England to recouperate, then sent back > > to the front, where his patrol was wiped out, except for > > 3 men, who were all captured and were sent to one POW camp > > after another, tortured, and used as guinea pigs. The Russians > > were the first to free him in 1945, and he spent time in Tampa > > Florida. He and his wife, Carita, raised 9 kids, and Gerry became > > a Fire Captain around Zephyrhills, (Tampa) the 60's. > > > > The rest of the story is too sad, and in 1998, he died in > > Pensacola, FL, leaving a sad split with most of his 9 kids. > > One brave daughter is trying to "re-discover" her Dad, learning > > genealogy the hard way. > > He had once told me that his kids wanted nothing to do with him! > > Actually, it seems that HE just didnt want the kids worrying about > > HIM! > > > > Now, here we are in Florida some 55 years later, and I meet Gerry > > about 1982 or so---and he told me this story, above. > > > > Daughter Melanie wants desperately to "know more about her Dad > > and his family." All we remember is Hardwick was his home, and > > either his parents or grandparents raised him, until they put him in > > the military school, and he went off to war! > > > > Anyone have any ideas?? I know, I know, it would help if we came > > up there. I'm her Dad's brief friend, in Pensacola, and she lives > > another > > 500 miles away in Tampa---travel for her right now is impossible. > > We have written for Social Scty application---guess we should try for > > his military record. > > > > Thanks, if you have any ideas! He may have been born in Germany! > > Evan R. STROHL > > What about seeing if you can find school records from his early days in > VT, before being sent to the military school. Maybe in with those will > be some more hints as to where he was originally from. You could also > check into churches in the area to see if they have records of this > family. Have you done an online phone search for this surname in VT to > see if there is anyone still there with the name who may be related? > Hope these help to get you going! > > Joyce in MA