Gerald Lee Gardner

Gerald Lee Gardner was born and raised in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Washington High School. He joined the Marine Corps at the age of 19 in March 1969. After completing training at Camp Pendleton, CA he was given a 20 furlough home before being shipped to Vietnam. PFC Gardner was assigned to the 1st Marine Division as an anti-tank assualtman when he arrived in Southeast Asia in September 1969. Five months into his tour he was killed. PFC Gardner died on February 2, 1970 when the vehicle he was aboard hit a mine northeast of Que Son, South Vietnam. The 20-year-old was buried at the Cedar Memorial Park in Cedar Rapids.