JERRY LEE CHAMBERS Lt Colonel, USAF (Deceased)

USAF OCS Class 57C , OC LT, 2nd Squadron Honor Council

The following information was sent in by his daughter, Sheri Hofer

Jerry Chambers was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on October 12, 1932. He graduated from Central High School and entered the Air Force in 1950, serving seven years as an enlisted man. He was stationed at Ardmore, Oklahoma; Clovis, New Mexico; Hahn, Germany; Alexandria, Louisiana; San Antonio, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; Mather AFB, California; and Nakhon Phonom, Thailand.

Jerry graduated from Officer Candidate School in September 1957 and received his appointment as a second lieutenant. Jerry graduated from the navigator instructor school in 1960. Jerry was cited for outstanding achievement during the graduation ceremony of the Academic Instructor Course in 1963. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha, Nebraska in July 1966. In 1966, he also received his appointment in the Regular Air Force. Jerry received the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the period December 1962 to November 1965.

On May 22, 1968, while on temporary assignment in Ubon, Thailand, Jerry was flying as an observer aboard a C-130 aircraft, which disappeared over northern Salavan Province. The grid coordinates Xc843858, near Ban Xicheng Phoxen, Saravan Province, approximately 35 kilometers southeast of Muang Nong and 32 kilometers from the Lao and Vietnam border. Later, the crew of another U.S. aircraft observed a large ground fire in the area where radio contact was lost. Due to heavy anti-aircraft fire they were unable to determine whether it was caused by the missing C-130. Photographs taken that night and the following day failed to confirm that the fire was caused by a downed aircraft. With no new evidence and the passing of time, Jerry's status was eventually changed to killed in action.

Observations of a Daddy's Girl - the above is an accurate accounting of my father's career, but it is not how I remember him. I remember him coming home in that green flight suit with all the zippers, leaning down for a “kiss for old Dad,” and giving me the Pepsin gum that he saved from his flight lunch. I remember the man who taught me to look at the stars and advised me against eating the salt in the base gym. I remember a man who looked like the most handsome man in the world when he had his officer's mess dress uniform on. I remember Daddy.

(Ed. Note)
Was initially listed as Missing In Action and later as Killed In Action in Viet Nam as a Lieutenant Colonel. Most recent information is that the remains of an aircraft are assumed to be the actual remains of his aircraft but no human remains were found.