Colonel Merritt Gerald “Jerry” Garner, United States Air Force (Retired) was born February 27, 1922, and died on March 4, 2014, at the age of 92. He served in World War II, Korea, as well as Vietnam. As a P-38 fighter pilot, Jerry flew four photo reconnaissance missions on the morning of the D-Day invasion and completed many other missions during the European War. He became the Army Air Corps’ youngest squadron commander, at age 22. After WWII, he flew the first F-80 et photo reconnaissance flight, and was honored as the first American to command a Gloster Meteor Jet Fighter for the Royal Air Force. Jerry also served as a Military Attache In Warsaw, behind the iron curtain; and later served in many other outstanding Air Force positions, all over the nation, to include the Pentagon; but always felt that he was primarily a pilot. At Eglin AFB, he assumed command of a Fighter Test Squadron and the Air Forces Air Proving Ground Command. Jerry was heavily involved in the Korean War with F-84 Thunder and F-86 Sabre jets, testing and developing their new systems. Wearing the silver wings of an Air Force Command Pilot was what he was most proud of. His military decorations included the Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leal Clusters), Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (8 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster). He received numerous other awards, ribbons, and medals, to include the French Croix de Guerre (with Gold Star). Jerry retired from the Air Force on March 31, 1970, and worked in the civilian world for many years, thereafter.