Gerry Dewayne Major

Gerry Dewayne Major graduated from the Des Moines Technical High School in the class of 1966. He joined the Marine Corps and trained as an assault amphibious vehicle crewman. LCPL Major was sent to South Vietnam in August 1967. He was assigned to the Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Amtrac Battalion, in the 3rd Marine Division. The young Iowan was killed on March 14, 1968 when a mine accidently exploded during a mine clearing operation. The 20-year-old’s remains were returned to Iowa and buried at the Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.