Gunn enlisted in the U.S. military on February 5, 1943 at Fort Shelby for "the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law". He served the U.S. Army in the first division of the 26th Infantry, or Blue Spaders (insignia depicted below).
North African Campaign The first infantry division or “Blue Spaders”, commanded by Major General Terry de la Mesa Allen, was part of the African Campaign from January to May 1943 where they helped secure Tunisia
Operation Husky
In July of 1943, the Division took part in the Invasion of Sicily under command of Major General Allen.
Normandy Invasion
The Blue Spaders took part in the D-Day Invasion of 1944. This placed Gunn on the shore of Omaha, France on June 6th.
Gunn was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.