Gerhard Klann
Gerhard Klann, 73, of Englewood, Fla., died Oct. 15.
Born May 5, 1945, in Schonewerda, Germany, he was a son of the late Herbert Klann and Olga (Semke) Klann.
He was a 1964 graduate of Butler High School and worked for Armco Steel Plant in Butler for 14 years.
Gerhard was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served as a member of Seal Team One, Two and Six, and Underwater Demolition Team 11 and 12. He completed three tours of duty in Vietnam, including participation in a mission during which his officer-in-charge was awarded the Medal of Honor.
In August of 1980, Gerhard served as a member of Seal Team Two's counter terrorism platoon and volunteered to be sent to Iran during the Iranian Hostage Crisis while masquerading as a foreign businessman. It was during this mission that he went overland from Turkey to Tehran, Iran, and obtained the intelligence that convinced the National Command Authorities not to attempt a second rescue of the Americans held hostage by the Iranians.
Gerhard performed his last tour of duty as the logistics officer at Naval Special Warfare Unit Two in Scotland and at Seal Team Six when he retired in October of 1989. In November of 2011, he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal with Combat “V” for his heroic actions.
He is survived by his wife, Jill; two sisters, Erma Fontaine and Irene Wood of Butler; six brothers, Bernhard Klann of Butler, Eric Klann of Stuart, Fla., Harry Klann of Huntington Beach, Fla., Manfred Klann of Butler, Helmut Klann of Foley, Ala., and Robert Klann of Butler; his daughter, Sue Schinke of Rochester, Minn.; three grandchildren, Ashley Todd of Mankato, Kan., Michael Schinke of Jacksonville, N.C., and Nicholas Schinke of Rochester, Minn.; three great-grandsons, Gage Todd and Archer Todd of Mankato, Kan., and Micah Schinke of Jacksonville, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter Klann and Erwin Klann; and his sister, Margaret Ratz.
KLANN — Gerhard Klann, who died Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, had his ashes scattered at sea on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, during the Sunrise Memorial Service/Ashes Swim Out at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Fla.For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.
