A Hero Star was presented to the Gold Star Family to Honor & Remember AMERICAN HERO U.S. Capt. Navy Gerald F. DeConto, Sandwich, MA - As director of the current operations and plans branch of the Navy Command Center, CAPT Gerald F. DeConto, 44, was organizing the Navy’s response to the World Trade Center attack when he died in the crash at the Pentagon. After two airplanes slammed into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City on that September morning, Jerry took charge at the Pentagon. He ordered those gawking at the large TV screens in the command center back to their desks and began to orchestrate the Navy's response. Less than an hour later, at 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the first floor of the Pentagon, its jet fuel setting off a series of explosions that killed 125 people inside and 59 onboard the plane. The attack would have killed perhaps 50 more, Navy officials have told the DeConto family, if Jerry had not forced people, including some who outranked him, back to their offices so he could do his job. Forever Remember U.S. Capt. Navy F. Gerald F. DeConto Hero Star Sponsored by Mass Fallen Heroes

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