Gerald “Jerry” Dechambre

July 20, 1923 – October 11, 2015

From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page:

In deep sadness, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association announce that Gerald “Jerry” Dechambre left formation on 11 October 2015 at age 92. Mr. Dechambre was a 335th bombardier who evaded capture. He passed away at his home in Sun City, AZ. Folded wings. 

Jerry was born on 20 July 1923 in Wilmette, IL. There he was also raised. After the war, he married Eleanor “Midge" Nevins in Highland Park, IL, on 19 October 1946. 

As Jerry’s obituary in the Northwest Herald (IL) reads, “A bombardier on a B-17, during World War II, he was shot down and was MIA while evading capture in German-occupied Belgium. Jerry was a Purple Heart medal recipient, an active and lifelong member of the Air Force Escape and Evasion Society. 

“Jerry was a proud alumni of St. George High School and Northwestern University, both in Evanston, IL. He was Vice President of Illinois Coil Spring Co., from which he retired, and started Dechambre's True Value Hardware in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Jerry and Midge moved to Arizona in 1991. 

“Jerry is survived by his daughter Annette (Kevin); son David (Cecile); grandchildren Michael (Jennifer), Jordan, Jonathan (Shannon), Kate, Brett, Claire, and Sara; and 5 great grandchildren. 

“Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Midge; his parents Barbara and Mathias; his brothers Peter, William, James, and Eugene; and son Gregory.