103rd Cactus Division

Gerald (Gary ) E. Ingle
 
 Gerald (Gary ) E. Ingle was born Apr 28, 1921, in Jerome, ID and joined the Army Sept 11, 1940,
at Ft. Worden, WA. After basic training, he was assigned to the 78th Coast Artillery, as a heavy truck
driver for a searchlight and radar unit and his duties consisted of driving and servicing a 7 ton truck,
as well as a radar crewman. Gary spent three years guarding the Southern California coast. In early 1944,
the 78th Coast Artillery was moved to Camp Hahn, CA and deactivated with most personnel transferred
to the 103rd Division at Camp Howze, TX, where Gary was assigned to Co D 409th Inf.  After four months
of infantry training, Gary and the 103rd Division deployed to Europe and on-line in the Vosges Mountains
with the 7th Army. Initially, Gary was an ammunition bearer when his unit entered combat, however, when
the request was made for a volunteer to be a forward observer for a mortar unit, Gary volunteered. Gary and a radioman were assigned to various mortar sections as needed. On Dec 1, 1944, while with Co B, his unit came
under enemy attack, and Gary was wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans. After a march and a ride in a
boxcar, he spent a short time in Stalags 12A and 4B. He was then assigned to a small work commando in a small German town. This group was liberated in the middle of Apr 1945, and was sent to Camp Lucky Strike. On May 1, 1945, they departed for the US, arriving in New York on May 15. After reporting to Ft. Lewis, Washington, Gary
was soon on his way to San Gabriel, California, for a reunion with his wife and to meet his six week old daughter. After discharge as Pfc on Aug 9, 1945, Gary worked as a carpenter building homes. He finished his high school education and obtained a journeyman carpenter certificate. Gary worked several years as a carpenter and then was hired by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. In his 32 years at JPL, he worked as a carpenter,
estimator, and for the Administrative Assistant of Facilities. Gary retired in May 1988, and traveled extensively with his wife. In 2005, they moved to Hemet, California, to be close to their daughter and her family.
                                                                 (Submitted by son-in-law Gary Hess)