Jerry Donald Driscoll
"Jerry"
d 2015
Service
United States Air Force
Highest Rank
Colonel
Years of Service
0
Combat
Yes
Biography as of Oct 12, 2013
Jerry came to the Academy from Chicago after a year at St. Mary's College. Pilot training at Craig AFB, AL, followed graduation, then he was off to Combat Crew Training in the F-105 at Nellis. Assigned to the F-105 wing at McConnell AFB, KS, Jerry soon was at Korat RTAFB, Thailand, and flew his first combat mission on 15 November 1965.
According to Colonel Monroe Sams, Commander of the 388th TFW, Jerry - the only lieutenant in his squadron - progressed well. "His eagerness to learn, mature attitude, and military bearing soon gained the respect of the entire squadron. . . . In March and April of 1966 he advanced to element leader and then to flight leader."
The target on Jerry's 112th combat mission - 81st counter over NVN - was the Bac Giang railroad/highway bridge about 30 miles north of Hanoi. Jerry was number 4 in the 2nd of 3 flights of F-105s at 1,000 feet racing at 550 knots toward the bridge. The squadron commander ahead was shot down before Jerry felt his Thud jump.
Moments later his roommate called, "Pecan 4, you're on fire." A 120-foot flame looked like a blowtorch. Along with many warning lights, the stick froze, and the aircraft rolled upside down. Jerry survived the high-speed, low altitude ejection but was captured almost immediately. Thus began 81 months as a Prisoner of War.
The North Vietnamese decided marching 52 POWs through the streets of Hanoi on 6 July 1966 would be a good propaganda move. The Communist leaders were lobbying for having War Crimes Trials for the captured Americans. Jerry headed up the second group. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese had been turned out to line the streets. "It got out of hand. They were a raging mob, throwing sticks at us. I was punched and kicked; it got so bad it was even a matter of survival for our guards." They finally reached the safety of a stadium where guards could hold off the screaming crowd. The march and war crimes trials were denounced internationally.
"When one is placed in the situation we experienced in North Vietnam, there comes the great, painful realization that what we all take so much for granted is no longer available. In such a situation you can't help but appreciate what we have in this great country of ours. That appreciation became even greater when, after seven years of living under Communism, I returned to find a very grateful nation welcoming us as we stepped off the airplane."
Among Jerry's military awards are the Silver Star, 2 Legions of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Bronze Stars, 10 Air Medals and 2 Purple Hearts.
In May 2013 many former POWs gathered to mark the 40-year anniversary of the dinner President Nixon hosted at the White House for all returning POWs. US Navy Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr., who was captured after being shot down on 5 August 1964, was the longest held prisoner in North Vietnam. In an interview he said, "We had a code: Return with Honor; our dignity; our reputation; our character."
Jerry persevered against a brutal enemy and brutal conditions and lived up to that code. We are very proud of his dedication and devotion to duty under extremely difficult circumstances.
According to Colonel Monroe Sams, Commander of the 388th TFW, Jerry - the only lieutenant in his squadron - progressed well. "His eagerness to learn, mature attitude, and military bearing soon gained the respect of the entire squadron. . . . In March and April of 1966 he advanced to element leader and then to flight leader."
The target on Jerry's 112th combat mission - 81st counter over NVN - was the Bac Giang railroad/highway bridge about 30 miles north of Hanoi. Jerry was number 4 in the 2nd of 3 flights of F-105s at 1,000 feet racing at 550 knots toward the bridge. The squadron commander ahead was shot down before Jerry felt his Thud jump.
Moments later his roommate called, "Pecan 4, you're on fire." A 120-foot flame looked like a blowtorch. Along with many warning lights, the stick froze, and the aircraft rolled upside down. Jerry survived the high-speed, low altitude ejection but was captured almost immediately. Thus began 81 months as a Prisoner of War.
The North Vietnamese decided marching 52 POWs through the streets of Hanoi on 6 July 1966 would be a good propaganda move. The Communist leaders were lobbying for having War Crimes Trials for the captured Americans. Jerry headed up the second group. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese had been turned out to line the streets. "It got out of hand. They were a raging mob, throwing sticks at us. I was punched and kicked; it got so bad it was even a matter of survival for our guards." They finally reached the safety of a stadium where guards could hold off the screaming crowd. The march and war crimes trials were denounced internationally.
"When one is placed in the situation we experienced in North Vietnam, there comes the great, painful realization that what we all take so much for granted is no longer available. In such a situation you can't help but appreciate what we have in this great country of ours. That appreciation became even greater when, after seven years of living under Communism, I returned to find a very grateful nation welcoming us as we stepped off the airplane."
Among Jerry's military awards are the Silver Star, 2 Legions of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Bronze Stars, 10 Air Medals and 2 Purple Hearts.
In May 2013 many former POWs gathered to mark the 40-year anniversary of the dinner President Nixon hosted at the White House for all returning POWs. US Navy Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr., who was captured after being shot down on 5 August 1964, was the longest held prisoner in North Vietnam. In an interview he said, "We had a code: Return with Honor; our dignity; our reputation; our character."
Jerry persevered against a brutal enemy and brutal conditions and lived up to that code. We are very proud of his dedication and devotion to duty under extremely difficult circumstances.