Korean War Soldier. He was a sergeant in Company G of 187th Regiment of the Airborne Infantry. He graduated from Upper Darby High School and joined the Merchant Marines. He then enlisted in the Army and served at Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Campbell, KY. He was sent to Korea in 1950. In February 1952, He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a "V" (for valor) posthumously. His parents received the medal on his behalf. He distinguished himself February 12, 1951 near Hoengsong, Korea. The citation presented to his parents reads in part, "Com G was making an attack on Hoengsong against enemy troops who had encircled a United Nations Regiment in the vicinity of Haktan-Ni, Korea. As company G drove through the enemy defenses about three miles from Hoengsong, a large enemy force entrenched on the high ground overlooking the route of approach opened fire on the rear elements of the column with mortar machine guns and small arms fire and succeeded in cutting off part of the weapons platoon. Sergeant VanderGast, a communications Sergeant, seeing the unit become disorganized as the leaders became casualties, immediately took control and proceeded to organize the unit into an effective fighting team. Assembling a 57-millimeter recoilless team together he directed them to a position from where they could bring fire on an enemy machine gun position that was inflicting heavy casualties in the group. After destroying this machine gun, Sergeant VanderGast directed small gunfire in other enemy positions and led the unit forward to join the main body. The courageous leadership displayed by Sergeant VanderGast in this action resulted in this isolated element being formed into an effective combat force, which inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and contributed much to the ultimate success of the nation."