Died of his wounds received during the initial assault on Guam, he was transported back to his ship, where he succumbed 3 days later. May God have a place of eternity for my Uncle Jeroid Merle Tate, and the rest of his Devil Dogs and all the men and women who paid the ultimate price.

Uncle Jeroid, or as my father called him Uncle Jerry, was involved in many of the South Pacific campaigns before his life ended, he fought in the jungles of the South Pacific from island to island, he was war tested.

We proudly named our son after our Great Uncle, we wanted to name him with a meaningful name.

As a side note, his mother did not get the news of his passing for an entire month, news just moved slow back then.

 

 

 

Memorial Day 2016

We are talking about you Uncle Jerry! Family is thinking of you, and saying your name right now, I hope you can hear our words from way up there. We never met, but I am sure you know you have adoring people down here, who pray for you, and your men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We love you. By the way, we named our youngest son after you. It's a proud name for us.

We are still with you Uncle Jerry. Remembering you on this day, and all year long. Dad remembers you as well, and speaks of you often throughout the years. Your sacrifice is honored in our home, as each year we bring you off our wall, and into our family room, we set you up in a prominent place for all to see, on this day of Memorial Day.

We know you are with God, in a very special place. Love and blessings.

Thank you @John Morris for allowing us to share in your moving tribute to Uncle Jerry. 

Here’s health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we’ve fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven’s scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.”

 

Thank you, John, for sharing this special story.