Gerald L. Endl was born on August 20, 1915 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. After graduating high school, Endl served in the Wisconsin National Guard for a short period while working at the James Manufacturing Company in Fort Atkinson. He married Anna Marie Goethe, from Janesville, Wisconsin shortly before he was selected for active duty in the 32nd Division in 1941. Endl was sent overseas in 1942 and was wounded during fighting on New Guinea that same year. He spent several months recovering in Australia before being sent back to active duty on New Guinea in 1943. On July 11, 1944, Endl was killed during a firefight with Japanese troops while attempting to save fellow wounded soldiers. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. According to the citation, Endl assumed command of his unit when the commanding officer was wounded. He held off advancing Japanese troops allowing fellow wounded soldiers to escape to safety. Endl then advanced to recover additional wounded men, only to be killed by automatic fire while rescuing the last soldier. The medal was presented to his widow in 1945. Endl's remains were returned to Wisconsin in 1948 and were buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Fort Atkinson.
