Gerald Selah Reeve

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on February 21, 2013:

Gerald Selah Reeve Born January 17, 1929 -- Died February 17, 2013 Gerald Selah "Jerry" Reeve was born in Oshkosh, WI on 17 January 1929 and was appointed to West Point from the 6th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "In Jerry, the Corps was pleased to have a most reliable cadet. Throughout his cadet career, you could always depend on his either being in the sack or at a movie. Rumor has it that one day he gathered all available energy and summed up cadet life in a gem of wisdom, 'How about that?'" During his cadet days Jerry went out for Baseball and Basketball all four years. He was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. On graduation Jerry went in the Air Force and pursued a career as an non-flying officer. His first assignment was in Psychological Warfare where he served from 1952 to 1954. On completion of this duty Jerry was awarded the Air Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Jerry's next assignment was to Headquarters, Air Research and Development Command where he served until 1956 and he received a second Air Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Next Jerry went back to school and earned a MS degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1957. He was next assigned to Lockbourne AFB and served through 1958. Jerry next went to Headquarters 8th Air Force where he served until 1961. Jerry then went with the 39th Air Division in Japan and served until 1964, when he was selected for training with the Boeing Company which lasted until 1965. From 1965 to 1967 Jerry served at Headquarters, 15th Air Force Republic of Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy and the Commendation Medal for distinguished service on completion of his tour. Then Jerry was assigned to the Air Force Security Service in Japan from 1967 to 1968 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation on completion of this duty. Jerry was next assigned to Headquarters, Air Transport Command where he served from 1968 to 1970 and he was awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation on completion of this assignment. Next Jerry went to Korea and served from 1970 to 1971 and was awarded a third Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Jerry's last military assignment was to the United Kingdom from 1971 to 1974; and would you believe it, he was awarded a fourth Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Jerry retired from the Air Force in 1974 with the rank of Colonel. After retirement he accepted a position as an engineer with the Turner Construction Company in Hong Kong and served from 1974 to 1976. Then Jerry went to Iran as an engineer with the Harris Corporation and served there until 1977. From 1978 to 1987 Jerry was the Manager of the McDonnell-Douglas Space Shuttle Program, and from 1987 to 1991 was the Engineering Manager for the Grumman Space Station. From 1991 to 1993 Jerry served as Consultant to the HNTB at the Miami Airport. Jerry retired for the second time in 1995. He and his wife Carol made their home in Melbourne, Florida.

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