Date of birth:

August 4th, 1917 (Tubbergen, the Netherlands)

Date of death:

December 5th, 2005 (Skipperville, United States of America)

Nationality:

Dutch

Gerardus was a fighter pilot in 2-VLG-V and fought with distinction in the Battle of Malaya and Battle of Java. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese forces after the Dutch East Indies surrendered and was forced to work on the infamous Burma Railway. Gerard spent 3 and a half year as a prisoner of the Japanese (he referred to this time as being a ‘guest’ of the Japanese). At the same time, his wife was interned in a camp in Java. They were reunited in December 1945.

Gerardus left the Dutch Air Force in 1955 and emigrated with his family to the United States, where he became involved in the U.S. aviation. He retired from the National Transportation Safety Board in 1982 as the Deputy Director, Office of Aviation Safety.

Until 2005 Gerard was the final surviving pilot of a group of the last few Dutch pilots flying for the KNIL in the battle of Singapore in March 1942.

A full scale model of his Brewster Buffalo plane was built at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island, NY and transported to Soesterberg Museum where it was on display. A grand opening was held in 2009. Both his sons attended and one of them gave a speech to the attendees.

Promotions:
October 5th, 1936: Dpl.sld.d.Gren.
March 28, 1939: Sgt.d.Gren. KNIL
November 14, 1940: Sgt-vl KNIL
April 10, 1951: Eltn-vl ML

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant-vlieger (Flight Sergeant)

Unit:

B3-107, 2e Afdeling, Ve Vliegtuiggroep, ML-KNIL

Awarded on:

February 24th, 1942

Aanbeveling:
For having made various divebombing attacks on enemy shipping, having caused severe losses to the enemy by courageous, tactful and determined conduct despite hostile anti-aircraft fire.


The Bronzen Kruis with Eervolle Vermelding (honourable mention) was revoked by Royal Decree Nr. 5 of July 14th 1948 and replaced with the MWO 4e Klasse.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant-vlieger (Flight Sergeant)

Unit:

B3-107, 2e Afdeling, Ve Vliegtuiggroep, ML-KNIL

Awarded on:

February 24th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant-vlieger (Flight Sergeant)

Unit:

B3-107, 2e Afdeling, Ve Vliegtuiggroep, ML-KNIL

Awarded on:

January 27th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant-vlieger (Flight Sergeant)

Unit:

B3-107, 2e Afdeling, Ve Vliegtuiggroep, ML-KNIL

Awarded on:

June 14th, 1948

The Bronze Cross with honorable mention has been withdrawn from K.B.no 5 of July 14, 1948 and replaced by the MWO. 4.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant-vlieger (Flight Sergeant)

With two bars

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Peter Bruggink
• - MEIJER, H.G. & VIS, R., Het Vliegerkruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1997.
  - The Dutch Medals Page
  - Dapperheidsonderscheidingen | Onderscheidingen | Defensie.nl
  - Peter Bruggink (scan)

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National Military Museum

Soest - Utrecht

Cradle of Aviation Museum

Garden City - New York

Aviation Museum Aviodrome

Lelystad - Flevoland