A TRIBUTE
TO BOBBY RAY JERMYN

BY FRAN SINGER

Bobby Ray Jermyn was born 1 December 1940 in Handsboro Mississippi to Mr. And Mrs. Robert Jermyn. He attended Handsboro Elementary School for eight years and graduated from Notre Dame high School in Biloxi in 1958. He received his bachelor´s degree from the University of Mississippi in 1963 and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon.

Bob entered the Army in September 1964. After taking basic training at Camp Polk, La., he took advanced infantry training at Fort Gordon, Ga. He later went to Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla. and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He then served as an instructor in field artillery at Fort Sill, Okla. and in February 1966 was assigned to flight school at Fort Rucker, Ala. He was in Officer Fixed Wing Aviator Course class 66–11 from 13 April 1966 through 15 December 1966. While in flight school he was promoted to first lieutenant. He was promoted to captain while serving in Vietnam.

Bob (I never called him Bobby Ray) walked into my life in April 1966 when he came to process in for flight school at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. At that time I was the supervisor of the Student Officer Records Branch of the United States Army Aviation School Regiment.

The day he came to process in he was literally "walking" because he had wrecked his Mustang automobile while driving to Fort Rucker. I offered to drive him to Enterprise, Alabama on my lunch hour and he took me up on my offer. Shortly thereafter, Bob bought a blue and white Thunderbird. We started dating and I have wonderful memories of the good times we had. We went often to Panama City, Florida (which we called P.C.) We also frequented New Orleans, La. As often as possible. I visited in the home of his parents many times. Before he left for Vietnam we were engaged to be married. We had planned our wedding for July 1967 in Hawaii.

President Calvin Coolidge once remarked, "No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." Bob gave his life on 23 May 1967 in Vietnam and he — like all others who died in Vietnam — are certainly to be honored.

Bob left some books with me when he went to Vietnam. One of them is Markings by Dag Hammarskjold. Bob wrote several notes in the margin of the book; the one that strikes me most is after the following passage which Hammarskjold dated 2 December 1960.

"The tension increased.
In the noonday heat
Their wills began to waver.

Night flared,
Phosphorescent,
The jungle wailed in the fierce grip of the storm.

They paid
The full price of love
That others might enjoy a victory.

Morning mist,
Chirping of early birds.
Who recalled the night´s sacrifice?"

Bob wrote in the margin: "Vietnam?" As to who recalls the night´s sacrifice, I can say that I do — even after 45 years! He will never be forgotten, nor will all those who served and died.

It has taken me some time to write this tribute, because I had to go deep within my heart to a secret place where grief still lives. I recall the good memories but the grief often overshadows the joy. One thing I know for sure, as long as I live, Bob Jermyn lives. May God rest his soul.