John L. Gervan was born on March 11, 1918. A graduate of Nutley High School, he was a member of the Alpine Wheelmen and was active as a racing cyclist. Entering the service on Jan. 10, 1941, Gervan received his wings at Napier Field, Ala., in May 1943. In December of that same year he was sent to Iceland where he piloted a P-38 with the 50th Fighter Squadron.

Upon reaching England, he was transferred to the 381st Fighter Squadron as a First Lieutenant. According to the story of one of the airman’s buddies who was with him on his fatal 46th mission, 1Lt. Gervan was on his way back to the base when he noticed his left wing man was missing. He turned back to try and locate the other ship and was never seen again. The pilot he had gone in search of turned up later but said he hadn’t seen Gervan. 1Lt Gervan was Killed in Action on July 4, 1944. He is buried now in the Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.nutleysons.com