Cavalry Officer Killed in Action Early in September

First Lt. Gerald Hardin Penley, 24. son of G.M. Penley 615 E 5th street, who has received the Bronze Star for bravery was killed in action in Belgium September 7, according to word received by his father Saturday night by the War Department.

Lieutenant Penley had also been , decorated with the Purple Heart for a slight wound in the left hand. He was a member of the mechanized cavalry and was the first cavalry officer to land in Normandy in the ; D-day invasion. During the action in France he was awarded the Bronze Star for individual bravery, and was given a battle field promotion to i first lieutenant. Details of the action have not yet been made known to his parents.

The young officer was born in Casper. July 28. 1920. attended Casper schools and was graduated from NCHS in 1937. He was a former Tribune Herald carrier. He then attended the University of Wyoming where he was a member of the Kappa Signa social fraternity. During his school , days he was always well-liked by his schoolmates and by all who knew him.

He left Casper in February. 1941. with the National Guard and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. In May. 1943. was transferred to Fort Riley, Kan., where he received officer's training. He received his commission on Aug. 12. 1943.

He was attached to a cavalry unit at Camp Maxey, Tex., until November. 1943. when he was sent overseas. His father received a letter i from him dated Sept. 6. the day before he was killed, in which he told him he was in Belgium

Gerald H Penley