Gerard Vincent Palma

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Bob Ballagh on June 4, 2014:

These are the notes i used during the Class of 1964 visit to Gerry's grave in Arlington on April 6, 2014 as part of the 50th Reunion celebration of our fallen classmates. Gerry was a fellow I-1er our last two years. Though I had known him previously from some classes, I did not know him well until 2nd Class year. From the Howitzer: Few of us will ever forget the ready smile and easy going disposition of this South Jerseyite, Jerry Palma. Jerry was always ready to help out a classmate or give him a home on a weekend, in spite of the fact that the T.D. may have kept him "boning character" back at West Point. An armor file from Camp Buckner days, he will certainly be an asset to his branch of the service. Some thoughts from Cris Stone: Gerry was a soldier in thought and deed. He wanted to go back to Vietnam as he believed that as a West Point trained officer that was his duty when we were sending our country's young draftees to combat. Gerry did have a fun side. Cris remembers his offering to put his B-4 bag on the bus for a trip to NY. All of the parts of Cris' M-1, except the stock, were carefully hidden in socks, underwear and other clothing. Cris had to carefully find and take care of each part so he could reassemble. It was not funny to Cris at the time. When they were randomly assigned as roommates cow year they could hardly understand each other because of our accents. Gerry claimed (correctly) that Cris had a hillbilly, redneck, West Virginia drawl. Cris KNEW that a Catholic from New Jersey with an Italian heritage and a last name ending in a vowel was certainly affiliated with the Mafia world or worse. His accent was more evidence! All cow year they jested that when they got to be First Classmen and could pick a roommate he would say "Anybody but Cris Stone"; Cris would say "Anybody but Gerry Palma." Of course when selection time came, they asked to room together again. After a tour in VN Cris went to Iran. The week he was killed Cris got a letter from Gerry saying that he had arranged to return home around the world and would stop in Tehran and stay for a few days. After Cris returned from Iran he stayed in touch with his parents until they died. He does not think his father ever recovered from his death. Gerry's Troopers thought very highly of him and his leadership. Bob Hersey , a trooper in his troop, posted this on Gerry's memorial page by on February 10, 2009: Captain Gerard Palmer, K Troop, 11th ACR Vietnam, commanding, was my commanding officer. I served under his command briefly as my tour of duty was completed with K Troop shortly before he was killed. I returned home to Portsmouth, NH on April 9, 1969 for a 30-day leave before returning to K Troop on May 18, 1969. When I arrived at K Troop's orderly room at Blackhorse base camp I was informed of Captain Palma's death. I was saddened to hear this terrible news. Jerry, I wish I had known you better in life but I know one day I will know you well in death. In November 22, 2009, Harry Terry, another Trooper in K troop wrote on the K Troop web site: "When I arrived in the field, there was a memorial service for three troopers and I had a lump in my throat. Scared and not knowing what to do or say. Then I saw a man walking toward us looking brave and confident, saying "Lets Go" and we followed. Capt. Palma at that moment instilled no fear and knowing with his presence we would prevail at anything. Never spoke to the Captain, but always felt I could follow him anywhere." Also posted on Gerry's memorial page by Ollie Pickral, another trooper in Gerry's Troop, on April 18, 2012: Captain Palma was my Troop commander in 1969 when he was shot down. I remember the day well. We were pretty much in shock when his chopper went down. It was a bad day for K Troop. May he rest in peace. Finally, I'd like to repeat here a note that Gerry left behind that is documented in several sources: "There are games that you play to play; there are games that you play to win; there are games that you do not play. The closest analogy I can offer people as to what I mean when I say 'I am a soldier' is that it is analogous to what I mean when I say 'I am a Catholic.' I wish to live a soldier's life, do a soldier's work, render a soldier's services, and die a soldier's death." Gerry, your wishes were fulfilled. Today we honor your service and sacrifice. To quote your roommate Cris: "For so many we have said 'Well Done. Be Thou At Peace.' Gerry spent a year with the Jesuits before entering West Point. Though I am not sure he ever wanted to enter the priesthood as some have thought, I do know that he felt a mission to be an example and to lead/influence others with the values instilled in him by the Jesuits and by West Point. Gerry merits that 'Well Done' as much as anybody I have ever known."

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