BLACKBIRD GERALD V

CPT Gerald "Jerry" V. Blackbird was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 05/21/1979 at the age of 34.7 from A/C accident
Kellogg, ID
Date of Birth 09/01/1944
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Served in Vietnam with HMM-165 in 68-69, HMM-161 in 69
This information was provided by Mike Blackbird (brother), SSN deceased search

More detail on this person: During the peak of the Vietnam War Jerry flew more than 1400 medivac helicopter missions. He sent home a searing set of letters describing the horrors of war, the failing leadership, and the politics surrounding exaggerated body counts. His heroics resulted in numerous medals and honors but masked a growing doubt about the war and its purpose.

Jerry was killed in a helicopter crash while checking out a log sale area in north Idaho.

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025