Gerald Bloom

On Thursday, April 21, 2005 at Spring Hill Regional Hospital, Spring Hill, FL, SGM GERALD BLOOM of Brooksville, FL, passed away peacefully following surgery. He was 75. Gerald is survived by his loving wife Irmgard, his son Peter S. Bloom and his wife Martha of Springfield, VA, and his son David A. Bloom and his wife Tracy of Vienna, VA. Also survived by five grandchildren, Sarah, Nathan, Victor, Adam and Spencer. He was born in the Bronx, NY, yet was raised in London, England during WWII. He joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 at the age of 16 first setting sail from Cardiff, Wales. He enlisted at the US Embassy, London, England in 1950 in order to avoid being drafted into the English military service. He Retired at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1977. He served several tours in Vietnam, served during the Cold War and was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled Army Veterans (DAV). He was a decorated war veteran holding distinguished medals such as the Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal (for being in a downed helicopter), Bronze Star Medal W/V Device (ambushed on search & destroy mission and credited with 7 enemy dead, 6 prisoners of war), Bronze Star Medal with 1st OLC (credited with finding inconsistencies in reporting KIA, putting President Nixon in an uproar resulting in a MSM award), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/Palm, Meritorious Service Medals. Following his Army career he served in various Senior Management positions including Director of the Law Enforcement Academy in Fayetteville, NC. In 1993 he retired in Spring Hill, FL. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Master of Arts degree in Administration of Justice. He was Jewish. Visitation will be held Wednesday, 27 April from 6:00-8:30 PM at Merritt Funeral Home, Spring Hill Chapel, 4095 Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34609. He will be buried on Thursday, 28 April at Bushnell National Cemetery in FL with Full Military Honors. Those wishing to attend the funeral should arrive at Merritt Funeral Home at 12:45 on Thursday, 28 April for the precession to Bushnell National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests that Donations be made and sent to SPCA of Hernando County, P.O. Box 3161, Spring Hill, FL 34611.ARRANGEMENTS BY     MERRITT FUNERAL HOMESPRING HILL CHAPLEL(353)686-6649Family Owned & Operated""www.merrittfuneral.com""