Jerry Willard

Major Jerry Willard was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 110-66. His first duty assignment was as “A” Team Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, 8th Special Forces Group, Panama, Canal Zone. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Air Operations Officer and Battalion Adjutant, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vietnam; Infantry Tactics Instructor, Fort Benning, Georgia; Company Commander, Student Brigade, 53rd Company; Company Commander, Battalion S2/3, 3rd IN Div, Wurzburg, Germany; Company Commander and Group Assistant S-3, B Team, 5th Special Forces Group. | Major Willard completed: 173rd Airborne Jungle School, 82nd Airborne Raider School, Officer Candidate School, Special Forces Officer School, Jump Master School, Instructor Training Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, NATO Chemical Biological Radiological, Scuba School, HALO School, Language School (Special Forces), Command and General Staff Course and Search and Rescue Management Course. | His military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster and "V" device, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Cluster and "V" device), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal. Major Willard also wears the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachute Badge, German Marksmanship Badge and Order of Saint Maurice.