Lance Corporal Gerard “Jerry” Salerno joined the United States Marine Corps in August 1968. As a Machine Gunner he arrived in Viet Nam on Valentines’ Day 1969.

He was awarded two meritorious combat promotions and was now a Machine Gun Squad Leader and responsible for 2 four-man machine-gun teams. He was involved in several operations before being Critically wounded.

On September 25, 1969, Salerno was wounded in the abdomen on Operation Pipestone Canyon in Quang Nam Province, south of Danang on a battalion size search and clear operation. Salerno was transported via medi-vac to a U.S. Naval Hospital in Danang where he was later taken to Yokosuka, Japan, and then to his final hospitalization at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.

Last rites are the last prayers and ministrations given to many Catholics when possible shortly before death. During his travels, Salerno received last rites twice. In December 1969, LCPL Gerard Salerno received an honorable medical discharge. Jerry is currently retired and has lived in Frisco since 2009.