As a young man from McCook, Nebraska, Gerald McIlmoyle enlisted in the Air Force in May of 1951 and started aviation cadet training that November. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings. In February of 1953 he completed advanced fighter training in the F-86F at Nellis AFB and then moved to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing at K-13 Suwon, South Korea. By April 1954 he was transferred to the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing where he flew F-84Fs at Malmstrom AFB, Montana.
In July 1957, he reported to the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Laughlin AFB. He graduated with honors in 1958 from Squadron Officer’s School as a U-2 pilot. By 1960, he was flying the U-2 over much of the world collecting nuclear debris from atmospheric nuclear tests. During the Cold War he flew reconnaissance missions over the USSR, China, and North and South Vietnam.
In 1964 General McIlmoyle was assigned as a Plans Officer in the Space Section: Future Plans Branch of Headquarters SAC at Offutt AFB. While there he helped write the original operations concept for the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft. In 1967 he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College and was transferred to the Pentagon as the primary Plans Action Officer for Space and Reconnaissance. Next, he was assigned to be the Director of the Joint Personnel Recovery Center with the Green Berets in Vietnam. After returning to the US, he was assigned as Director of Reconnaissance for SAC. His next assignments were at F.E. Warren AFB as first the Commander of a Minuteman Missile Squadron, next as Director of Operations, then Base Commander, and finally Vice Wing Commander. He finished his missile wing assignments back where he started at Malmstrom AFB as Commander of the 341st Missile Wing. He took leadership awards for Best in the Air Force, SAC, and 15th Air Force. His exemplary service as an officer and leader resulted in his promotion to Brigadier General.
In the twilight of his Air Force career, General McIlmoyle was Deputy Director of Operations for Strategic and General Purpose Forces in the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. In that capacity, he was in charge of the nuclear codes that the sitting President would need to authorize the use of nuclear weapons and consequently was called on to brief President Reagan before his inauguration.
General McIlmoyle was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flights over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was selected to escort President Kennedy on a tour of the U-2, explaining its specifications and unique capabilities. President Kennedy personally expressed his thanks to all the U-2 pilots for their flights over Cuba which helped to resolve the Crisis peacefully. General McIlmoyle elected to retire from active duty on July 1,1981.
“When I was a kid growing up in western Nebraska, I was fascinated with airplanes and flying. I am blessed and honored that I got to live my dream of becoming a pilot and serving my Country.” - Gerald E. McIlmoyle