Alan Gerrish Obituary

Alan Gerrish attended Woburn Memorial High School in Woburn, MA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Alan Gerrish.

Graduation Year	Class of 1966
Date of Passing	Sep 07, 1968
About	Recipient of the Navy Cross Woburn High School Class of '66 Hospitalman H&S CO, 3RD MP BN, FORCE LOG CMD, 3RD MAF United States Navy Panel 45W Line 061

Classmate Memories

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Alan A. Faber '65 said:

Alan Gerrish and I grew up together in Woburn, Massachusetts. And were the very best of friends while doing so. Alan always was thinking about the OTHER GUY instead OF HIMSELF in all aspects of his relationship with others.

Alan and I also worked at the Super Market on Route #3 almost on the boarder of Woburn and Winchester. Alan stocked shelves while I had the much longer duty of cleaning up the Meat Room and all the equipment contained in it. Alan would always finish first. And would then punch out before coming to the Meat Room and helping me clean up. Just so I would not be one of the last people finishing up my duties each evening.

Alan, Kenny Weldon (Class of 1964), and I decided to enlist in the Military Service at the same t time. Alan chose the Navy, while Kenny and I enlisted in the Air Force together. And went through Boot Camp together. Eventually all three of us got orders for Vietnam. Alan went first during the middle part of 1967, as a Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned to a Marine Unit. While Kenny and I both arrived in Vietnam in January 1968. Just in time for Tet 1968.

Kenny and I survived our Tour Of Duty while Alan died from wounds he sustained while trying to get to, and give emergency First Aid to, a gravely wounded Marine. Again Alan thought far more about another then he did about his own life. Alan died on September 7, 1968 which was just two days short of what would have been his Twentieth Birthday. For his bravery in trying to give First Aid to that Marine, Alan was POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS. Which is the HIGHEST AWARD THATTHE NAVY CAN BESTOW ON ONE OF IT'S PEOPLE. And just below the Medal Of Honor.

When Alan died, a little piece of myself DIED WITH HIM. Every September 7 my Wife and I make the drive back to Woburn and place fresh flowers on his grave. Sadly there is no one left able to do it. Because Alan's Parents have, both passed on. And his Sister, Louise, (Class of 1965) now lives in Florida with her own family. I do this small remembrance of my friendship that Alan and I shared. And that I will continue to do until my own life has ended. And I am then hopefully permitted to again join Alan. So we both can again resume that friendship. That I still treasure so much for, to this very day..

Most Reverently Submitted::
Alan A. Faber
Woburn High Class Of 1965 .
.

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