War: World War II

Corporal Homer “Binks” Gettler April 24, 1923 – October 2, 1944

Homer was born the only boy of six children to Paul & Alma Gettler of Dyer. Nicknamed “Binks” soon after birth, Homer grew up the pride and joy of his family and community. As a youth, he excelled in every sport he played at St. John Township High School, but baseball was his favorite. After high school he pitched for the Hammond Braves. When war came to America, he was working out at the Chicago White Sox farm club. On Jan. 15, 1943, “Binks” entered the U.S. Army, and after infantry training he was sent to England for D-Day. After months of fighting across France with the 35th Infantry Division he was killed Oct. 2, 1944, in an heroic act of halting a German attack. Homer is buried at the American Military Cemetery at St. Avoid, France.

After his death one of his sisters wrote: “Binks died as he lived – pitching for the winning team.”

SILVER STAR
BRONZE STAR w/OAK LEAF CLUSTER
PURPLE HEART
COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
AMERICAN THEATER MEDAL
EUROPEAN THEATER MEDAL
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL