JOSEPH GERCZAK WPC 1126

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Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

    Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter Keel Laid - Launched
    Delivered to the US Coast Guard 9 November 2017

  1. USCGC JOSEPH GERCZAK WPC-1126
    Commissioned 9 March 2018

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each name of the ship (for example, Bushnell AG-32 / Sumner AGS-5 are different names for the same ship so there should be one set of pages for Bushnell and one set for Sumner). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

Since a ship may have many covers, they may be split among many pages so it doesn't take forever for the pages to load. Each page link should be accompanied by a date range for covers on that page.

  1. USCGC Joseph Gerczak WPC-1126 Covers Page 1     (DATE RANGE)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each name and/or commissioning period. Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.


 

Postmark Type
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Killer Bar Text

Postmark
Date
Thumbnail Link
To
Postmark Image
Thumbnail Link
To
Cover Image



 

POSTMARK TYPE

POSTMARK DATE

File:CLOSEUP IMAGE NAME

N/A

Note:

 

Other Information

NAMESAKE - Signalman Third Class Joseph Gerczak, USCG (10 February 1922 - 26 December 1943)
    Gerczak enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on 26 September 1942. He completed his recruit training at Recruit Training Station, Curtis Bay, MD, and was initially assigned to the Coastal Pickets, CG-75003 and CG-46015 on 20 November 1942. He was later transferred to LST Flotilla 8 on 11 February 1943 and assigned to USS LST-66 on 3 April 1943. While a part of LST-66’s crew, he was promoted to signalman third class on 1 November 1943.
    Gerczak was on board USS LST-66 during the initial assault against the Japanese-held Borgen Bay Area of New Britain on Dec. 26, 1943. As seven Japanese dive bombers suddenly attacked his ship as it stood in the bay awaiting other vessels then unloading cargo on the beach, Gerczak immediately manned his battle station and was the first to open fire. When the planes came in and struck from starboard, he poured his drums of ammunition into the attackers with unrelenting fury, blasting two from the sky and into the sea near his vessel. With his ship struck by bomb fragments each bursting successively closer, he dauntlessly continued delivering a steady stream of bullets against the enemy until he was fatally struck down by a violent blast which forced shrapnel into his gun shield and silenced his weapon. By his expert marksmanship, unwavering perseverance, and cool courage in the face of tremendous odds, he contributed to the success of this and previous assault and reinforcement landings during the New Guinea Campaign. His constant devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.
    In recognition for having gallantly given his life for his country, Gerczak was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. He also posthumously received the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Commendation that was awarded to LST-66 for meritorious service in action against the Japanese.

The cutter's sponsor is Stella Gerczak, sister of Joseph Gerczak.

 


 

If you have images or information to add to this page, then either contact the Curator or edit this page yourself and add it. See Editing Ship Pages for detailed information on editing this page.

 


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