John L. Gutbrod

A Life Dedicated to Service – John L. Gutbrod

On Friday December 27th. 2024 John L. Gutbrod, 103 years old, residing at North 3rd Street in Surf City passed away peacefully at Ocean Medical Center in Brick NJ. John leaves behind a daughter, Carol Hoffman, his son Eric Gutbrod (Moira) and two grandchildren, Laura and Lindsay Gutbrod.

John was born on September 24th, 1921, in Newark NJ to parents Louis and Margaret Gutbrod. His father Louis passed away when he was only 8 months old, and his mother did her best to provide for John and his two half-sisters, but it was during the Depression and everyday life was a challenge. Due to these circumstances, John joined the Army in 1938 with plans to stay in for 4 years and then Pearl Harbor happened. He met his future bride, Mildred, in 1942 when he was hitchhiking back from Newark after a visit with his mother to the Red Bank Armory where he was stationed at the time. Mildred was taking a ride down the shore with her best friend, and they offered him a ride. He called her up for a date and they were married in November of 1943. John signed up for paratrooper training and completed it before being shipped overseas in December of 1943. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, 507th Parachute Infantry Division and jumped out of plane into France on D-Day June 6th, 1944. Sergeant Gutbrod was engaged in two more combat jumps, Operation Market Garden which is depicted in the movie “A Bridge Too Far” and the final paratroopers jump during the war across the Rhine River into Germany. John sustained injuries twice but made it back to his division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In May of 1945, on V-E Day he was in the town of Essen, Germany when the announcement came that Germany had surrendered. He returned to the USA and was discharged in August of 1945.

John made the decision to go back into military service with the newly established Air Force in 1948. The next place he found himself was on plane to Germany to participate in the Berlin Airlift. He remained on active duty being promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant until retiring in 1962. His next step was with the United States Postal Service until 1979. At that time, he and Mildred decided to move from Livingston to Surf City. The house was completed in 1980. His next career was with the Borough of Surf City as the Code Enforcement Officer where he worked until he retired at 80 years of age.

During his time in Surf City, he was an active member of the Surf City Volunteer Fire Company and EMS serving as President and Chief of the Fire Police.

John’s military decorations include the Purple Heart with two oak clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Soldiers Metal, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Metal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Paratrooper Wings.

His family continues their dedication to service with his two granddaughters Laura and Lindsay, both serving in the US Army. John was completely dedicated to his family and friends and to helping others. He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity to all.

John will be laid to rest at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown NJ and a celebration of a life well spent will be held this spring at the Surf City Fire Company.

Remembrance donations in his name can be made to the: Surf City Volunteer Fire Company and EMS, 713 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City NJ 08008