U.S. Air Force Colonel Gerald M. “Jerry” Adams was a dedicated pilot, a valued military
leader, a respected historian of the military and aviation, and a life-long learner.
That’s why former Dean of the College of Business Ken Griffin chose to honor Adams
by establishing a scholarship in his name.
Griffin established the Colonel Gerald Adams Air Force ROTC Scholarship that supports students enrolled in the University of Wyoming Air Force ROTC program. Preference is given to those with financial need who are in good standing and who display proven leadership qualities through Air Force ROTC, campus involvement, and past educational and work endeavors. Preference is also given to first-generation college students. A minimum cumulate GPA of 3.0 and class standing in the top third of the class is also required.
This scholarship gift was doubled by the State of Wyoming through its matching program.
Born in 1920, Adams grew up on the family farm in south-central Nebraska. With World War II on the way, the Nebraska National Guard’s 134th Infantry Regiment was called into active service in December of 1940, and Jerry joined up. He trained as a pilot in 1941, graduating in August of 1942.
Jerry was stationed with the 8th Air Force in England. For two years, he flew unarmed high-altitude photo recce P-38 and Spitfire aircraft over enemy territory, rising to flight commander and squadron commander. His unit suffered high casualties.
After the war, Jerry was sent to Army Command and General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, transitioning out of active duty. While in Kansas, he met his future wife Kathleen (Karnes), and they married in 1949. They had three daughters, Patricia, Mary, and Missy.
With the onset of the Korean War in 1950, Jerry was recalled to Air Force active duty. He served in operational and staff positions in Strategic Air Command in Ohio, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Morroco. He then served in Vietnam from 1972 to 1973. He also served in the Pentagon’s Air Staff, the Joint Strategic Target Planning Office at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York, and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe in Paris.
During this period, Jerry attended the Naval War College in Rhode Island, the Air War College in Alabama, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Maryland and master’s from Long Island University and the University of Wyoming.
Major General Lewis Lyle said of Jerry: “He was sharp as a tack. I’m telling you. He is smart. I never asked about his education, but I would have probably said he came from Harvard.”
Jerry retired in 1978 from F. E. Warren Air Force Base and went on to write four books and many magazine articles on Western military history and early aviation. His articles in Annals of Wyoming include “Air Age Comes to Wyoming”; “Air Corps, Air Mail, and Cheyenne in 1934”; “F. E. Warren Air Force Base War Trophies from Balangiga”; “History of the U. S. Strategic Air Force Bases in Morocco, 1951-1963”; and “Pioneer Farthings of Laramie County.” His books include Post Near Cheyenne: A History of Fort D. A. Russell – 1867-1930, The Bells of Balangiga, Fort Francis E. Warren and the Quartermaster Corps in World War II – 1940 to 1946, and Casper Army Air Field in World War II.
The donor, Dr. Griffin, is a dedicated University of Wyoming faculty and administrator who has supported the University of Wyoming for many years.
The Colonel Gerald Adams Air Force ROTC Scholarship provides much-needed support to students enrolled in the University of Wyoming Air Force ROTC program. You can also support this program by donating to this endowment. Contact the University of Wyoming Foundation at (307) 766-6300 or foundation@uwyo.edu.
Photo:
Colonel Jerry Adams in 1946 (photo courtesy the American Heritage Center, University
of Wyoming, Gerald M. Adams Papers, Box 2).
