Gail Kerns was born on February 24, 1947, in Elkins, West Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 21, 1967, and completed basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in November 1967. After attending advanced individual training as an infantry indirect fire crewman at Fort Polk, Louisiana, PFC Kerns attended the NCO Academy at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning. He deployed to Southeast Asia in August 1968, and served with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division until he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War on March 27, 1969. After spending 1,440 days in captivity, SSG Kerns was released during Operation Homecoming on March 5, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, until his medical retirement from the Army on September 21, 1973. Gail Kerns died on May 10, 2024, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His 1st (of 2) Bronze Star Medal for Valor Citation reads:

Staff Sergeant Gail M. Kerns, (then Sergeant), Company A, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 27 March 1969. On that date, the 3d Platoon of Company A was conducting a reconnaissance in force mission off landing zone Cider, Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam. Suddenly the point element spotted and made contact with four North Vietnamese soldiers who employed small arms and machine gun fire on the friendly element. Sergeant Kerns, acting platoon sergeant, regrouped the remainder of the platoon and led them up the hill to reinforce the point element and provide flank security. At this time the platoon started receiving heavy automatic weapons, mortar, and B-40 rocket fire from three sides by an estimated North Vietnamese Army company. He immediately regrouped his men and began laying down a deadly base of fire enabling the point element to link up with the remainder of the platoon. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Kerns maneuvered through the platoon offering words of encouragement and rendering first aid to the wounded. After receiving word to withdraw, Sergeant Kerns remained at his position and hit the enemy with an intense barrage of M-16 fire in order to cover the retreat of his men. Repeatedly exposing himself to the enemy fire, Sergeant Kerns successfully provided fire support for his platoon, thus saving many lives. Sergeant Kerns' courageous actions, inspiring leadership, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the most cherished traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.