Gerard Michael Grosso

(Age 94)

Died peacefully on May 6, 2016, at his home in Annandale, surrounded by his family.

The youngest of eight children, he was born to Vincent and Rose (Parenti) Grosso in Brooklyn, NY, on June 29, 1921, where he attended P.S. 54 and Alexander Hamilton High School.

He worked several jobs in the Brooklyn area until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in July, 1942. He initially trained as an enlisted glider pilot but just short of graduation was selected for pilot training, which he accomplished at Clarksdale, MS, and Stuttgart, AR. He then trained in the C-47, received his commission as a 2nd lieutenant, and deployed to England in March, 1944. He flew C-47s during seven combat campaigns in France, Germany, and Holland, including Operation Overlord (France) and Operation Market Garden (Holland). He also liberated concentration camp survivors from Dachau.

Jerry was demobilized in December, 1945 from Ft Dix New Jersey. 66-years later his daughter, Gina, served as the Installation Commander for what is now Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. In his characteristic wit, he told Gina that not much had changed since 1945.

Following the war, Jerry continued to serve in the Army Air Corps reserves and returned to Brooklyn where he obtained a B.S. in Accounting from Long Island University. In September, 1948 he was recalled to Active Duty in the Air Force. He took flying assignments to NY, CO, IL, and eventually to the Philippines and Japan where he served as a headquarters auditor and flew missions in support of combat operations in Korea. Upon returning to the States, he had assignments as an auditor and budget officer in NJ, NY, LA, AL (Air Command and Staff College), MA, and back to NY, remaining on flight status all the while.

While assigned to Hancock Field in Syracuse, NY, he met and married the love of his life, Camille Marie Balistreri of Geneva, NY. Shortly after marriage in 1961, both husband and wife moved to Saigon, Vietnam, where he served as the Comptroller Chief for the Military Assistance Advisory Group. While there, Camille gave birth to their son, Gerard II in 1962.

Upon returning to the States, the family moved to Colorado Springs, where they welcomed their daughter, Gina Marie, into the world in 1964. He performed comptroller duties at the Air Force Academy and at Bolling AFB, in Washington, DC. He served a second tour as a comptroller and staff pilot in Vietnam from 1970-1971. He returned to Bolling where he retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1974.

His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with OLC, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 OLCs, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, WWII American Campaign, Victory, and European Theater Medals, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and 12 Battle Stars. He was a command pilot and flew 20 aircraft types including the C-47, B-25, C-45, C-54, C-117, C-121, and T-33.

He started a second career in Federal Service with the Defense Logistics Agency where he worked for 15 years as a division budget chief, retiring in 1992. He earned numerous Superior Performance Certificates with DLA as well as the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

His is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Camille; son Gerard II; daughter Gina Grosso, and her husband, Brian O'Connor; sister-in-law Rose Balistreri, seven nieces and nephews, and five grand nieces and nephews. His brothers Frank, John, and Jimmy as well as his sisters Mary, Rose, and Grace predeceased him.

A visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA, 22151 on Friday May 13, 2016, from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM.

Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry's memory to the Air Force Aide Society at www.afas.org.