One of the last remaining fighter aces from the “Greatest Generation” received the Congressional Gold Medal at age 91 Friday for his actions over Okinawa in World War II.
As a 21-year-old Marine lieutenant stationed on the recently captured Japanese island of Okinawa, Jeremiah “Jerry” Joseph O’Keefe started Easter Sunday, April 22, 1945, by volunteering to assist the Chaplin with the morning’s service. By the time the sun set that fateful day, the young aviator from Mississippi would come face to face with the enemy for the first time and shoot down five Japanese dive-bombers in a row to earn the title of ace.
There were only 118 Marine WWII fighter pilots. Further, of the 1,447 total U.S. aces since 1918, just 77 are still with us.
1st Lt. Jerry O’Keefe, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, late of VMF-323 (the Death Rattlers) received Congressional recognition Friday for his service in helping disrupt Japanese kamikazes. His military awards to include the Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal are visible in the background. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
I was on hand Friday covering the ceremony for Guns.com and 1LT O’Keefe was very gracious.
