Established in 2015

Established 2015
John P. Geraci was born in Brooklyn in 1925, the son of immigrant Italian parents. He joined the Marine Corps 10 days after graduating from high school. He went to St. John’s College in New York for two years after serving in the Marine Corps during World War II but left college to join the Army as a second lieutenant. He earned two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star with Valor device, and a Purple Heart for his Korean War service as an Army lieutenant. He attended Ranger school as a captain and went on to serve three tours in Vietnam, earning two more Silver Stars, among other honors. He is the second-most decorated Ranger in the history of the unit, having served 36 years—16 overseas—and in three wars. Hard work, reading and continuous learning, and service to others are the three primary things he instilled in his children. Because of this, his family wishes to honor his memory with a fund that focuses support on programs that support education.