Gerald L. Kerr was born on May 24, 1921 in Lufkin, Texas to Shade Theodore Kerr and Annie Kirkland Kerr. He is a graduate of Lufkin High School and attended Stephen F. Austin College prior to his entrance into the Air Corps in June 1941. Gerald served in the 748th Bomber Squadron, 457th Bomber Group, Heavy as a Second Lieutenant during World War II. He was the Pilot on B-17 #42-31552 when he was Killed in Action on July 12, 1944 when their plane was damaged by a flak and crashed in Switzerland. He was temporarily buried in what was then the American Cemetery in Münsingen, Switzerland. His final resting place is in Garden of Memories Cemetery, Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas, USA.