Memorial

More information

His parents died when he was young, and he was raised by his grandmother. He worked for the Daily Local News, first as a newspaper boy, and later for the paper's mechanical department.

T/5 Ford J. Gurrell enlisted in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania on 6 June 1941 and received training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Pine Camp, New York. Whiel at Pine Camp he became the assistant editor of the Regiment’s newspaper, The Turret. His division left from Boston on 29 December 1943 for England. In England they received further training. On 11 July 1944 T/5 Gurrell's Division landed at Utah Beach in Normandy.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for action during the Battle of the Bulge. The citation reads: "T/5 Gurrell’s tank was knocked out and he remained with the accompanying infantry until they were ordered to withdraw. He then assisted in carrying a wounded man to another tank and rode outside the tank, holding the wounded man on the tank, until they reached a medical aid point. He was exposed to heavy enemy fire during the entire time he was helping evacuate his wounded comrade. His complete disregard for his own personal safety, his courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States."