Myles Edward Geer of Yukon passed away on Jan. 3, 2020. He was born to Myles Henry and Rose B. Geer of July 19, 1927, in Milltown, N.J. He is survived by his wife, Susan A. Geer, his sons, Edward M. and his wife Mary E. of Yukon; Peter D. and his wife Karen Geer of Yukon; LTC Scott W. Geer and his wife Marilyn of Alexandria, Va., Theresa-Ann Geer and her husband, Jerry Cox of Kentucky, his grandchildren Paul, Laura and her husband, Tom Bowin, Rose, Lyssa, Michael and his wife, Leanna, Rebecca, Abigail, Christian, Israel, Jakob, and Geshur. His great-grandchildren: Kelly, Natelea, Samantha, Issac, Thomas, Alexander and Anna.
Upon graduation in 1944 at the age of 17, he enlisted and joined the U.S. Merchant Maritime Service (Merchant Marines). Upon graduation from the U.S. Maritime Service Training Station at Sheepshead Bay, N.Y., he was assigned aboard the Liberty Ships. He would serve aboard numerous Liberty Ships that sailed to Europe, Africa and the Pacific. He would be awarded the World War II Victory, Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone medals along with a signed letter from President Harry S. Truman.
In 1946, he was discharged from the U.S. Merchant Maritime Service and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He would be assigned to the 11th Airborne Division and took part in the Occupation of Japan. He would be awarded the Parachutist and Glider Badge and the WW2 Occupation medal with the Japan clasp. In 1947 he would be discharged from the U.S. Army due to the reduction of force orders.
In 1950, with the start of the Korean War, he was recalled back to active duty. He volunteered for Officer Candidate School. He would be commissioned as a 2Lt in November 1951 within months would be sent to Korea. Upon arrival he was assigned to K company 65th Infantry Regiment “Borinqueneers,” 3rd Infantry Division. They would take part in what became known as the Battle of the Outposts. At the end of the Korean War he would return to America and serve as a Company Commander at Fort Dix, N.J. In 1958, he would resign his commission.
Over the following years prior to his retirement, he held numerous jobs in New York and Massachusetts. There would include insurance and mutual fund sales as well as in the automotive sales. He also worked for local and national levels of the Chamber of Commerce. Two of his most cherished highlights during these years were winning the Top National Salesman for Lincoln-Mercury in the early 1960s. Following by owning and operating a Dodge dealership in Gardner, Mass. In the late 1980’s Myles, Susan and their sons purchased property in Yukon and settled there.
In 2014, President Obama signed into law the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment “Borinqueneers” for their service during the Korean War and their devotion to serving America. In 2016 Myles was invited to attend the formal presentation. In a special reception being held to honor the Veterans of the 65th, they were presented with a full-size replica of the Congressional Gold Medal.
The past month, Congress passed a bill to award the U.S. Maritime Service and its members the Congressional Gold Medal for their dedicated service during World War II. It is expected to be on the desk of President Trump and signed into law within the next few weeks.
A memorial service for Myles was 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at Fox Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Brown officiating. Military honors were rendered after the service. Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfh.net