SA2983 Sergeant Gerald Walter Koch was born on 13 February 1935 in Kitchener, Ontario, the son of Walter Solomon Koch and Dorthea Ruth Miller. He was the brother of Grant Rudolph, Maralyn Ruth and Elaine Armina.

Koch enlisted on 26 March 1952 in London, Ontario.

He was serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada when he drowned on 4 August 1954 during recreational swimming while attending the 25th Brigade’s NCO school. He was 19 years of age.

He is buried in The United Nations Cemetery in Busan, South Korea, grave reference 38. 5. 3217. He is also commemorated on the Korean War Memorial in Meadowvale, Ontario, and the Peacekeepers Park in Angus, Ontario.