- SURNAME
Lange
- FORENAME
Gerald J.
- UNIT
37 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (3 A.R.R. Group)
- RANK
Major
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Distinguished Flying Cross
- PLACE
South East Asia 1970-71
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 15.7.1934 Barberton,Ohio
helicopter pilot
retired as Lieutenant Colonel
son of Edward Paul and Hilda M. (nee Forrer) Lange
married Barbara Springer 9.6.1957 (1935-2012) (2 daughters Michelle and Nancy)
died 26.6.2013 Auburn,Alabama (last residence)
Town Creek Cemetery,Auburn,Lee County,Alabama
Jerry was born on July 15, 1934 at Barberton Hospital and grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio. He graduated from Kent State University with a BS degree in math education. Jerry was a good athlete and in college he was on the basketball and tennis teams.
After graduation he was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart Barbara Springer, on June 9, 1957 and for the next 20 years they moved around the country and began their family. They had two daughters, Michelle and Nancy.
During his career his piloting experience included flying F-100's, T-33's and B-47's. He continued his education getting a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado in 1964. From 1964 to 1965, he served as an electrical engineer with the Air Force Systems Command in California.
The family arrived in Selma, Ala. in June of 1965 where he served as a T-38 instructor pilot, assistant flight commander and chief of officer training at Craig Air Force Base. Jerry earned his MS in education foundations from Troy State University and in 1971 he served his country in Vietnam. He flew rescue helicopters (H-1, H-3, and HH-53 Jolly Green Giants).
Jerry and his family next moved to Auburn in 1972. He was assigned to the Auburn University AFROTC. He retired from the Air Force in 1976 as a Lt. Colonel and Command Pilot with over 4,000 flying hours.
His military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal.
After his career in the Air Force ended Jerry worked as assistant director of the Engineering Extension Service at Auburn University and he also spent a few years as a real estate agent.
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