Clayton C. Jerome

Clayton Charles Jerome (22 September 1901 – 13 February 1978) was an aviator who served in the United States Marine Corps from to 1922 to 1952. He distinguished himself in combat during World War II and the Korean War, earning the Distinguished Service Medal and four awards of the Legion of Merit with Combat 'V' — for his valor during World War II, he received two Legion of Merit awards from the Marine Corps and one from the army. He received his fourth Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal from the air force for his actions during the Korean War.

Clayton Charles Jerome
Jerome as Brigadier general, USMC
Born(1901-09-22)September 22, 1901
Hutchinson, Kansas
DiedFebruary 13, 1978(1978-02-13) (aged 76)
Arlington, Virginia
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1922–1959
Rank Lieutenant general
Service number0-3799
Commands heldDirector of Aviation
1st Marine Air Wing
2nd Marine Air Wing
Battles/warsNicaraguan Campaign
Yangtze Patrol
World War II Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal
RelationsSarah Hunter "Sally" Jerome (author)[1]

Early years & education

Clayton Charles Jerome was born on September 22, 1901, in Hutchinson, Kansas. He entering the U.S. Naval Academy during World War I, graduating in 1922. While serving in the Marine Corps, he began graduate studies at Naval Academy in 1932, and then at California Institute of Technology where he earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

Many of his classmates from the Naval Academy became general officers later: Hyman G. Rickover, Robert E. Blick Jr., Herbert S. Duckworth, James P. Riseley, James A. Stuart, Frank Peak Akers, Sherman Clark, Raymond P. Coffman, Ralph B. DeWitt, Delbert S. Cornwell, Frederick J. Eckhoff, Hugh H. Goodwin, John Higgins, Vernon Huber, Michael J. Malanaphy, William S. Parsons, Albert K. Morehouse, Harold F. Pullen, Harold R. Stevens, John P. Whitney, Lyman G. Miller and George J. O'Shea.[2]

Marine Corps service

1920s & 1930s

Jerome was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant upon graduation from the Naval Academy. After completing the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, and serving a year at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., he entered flight training at Pensacola, Florida in August 1924. Following his designation as aviator, Jerome served at the Naval Air Station, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, beginning in July 1925. In September 1924, Division 1, Fighting Plane Squadron 3M (VF-3M), 2nd Aviation Group was activated Naval Air Station San Diego. 2nd Lt Jerome service as the squadron's first commanding officer for 19 days before giving over command to a 1st lieutenant.[3]

In April 1927, he was appointed a first lieutenant and ordered to China via the Philippine Islands. Completing his expeditionary service in China, he was stationed briefly on Guam in September 1928, before returning to San Diego.

In January 1930, when the hand control or "stick" of his plane broke off at the socket while he was practicing acrobatics 2,000 feet over the city of San Diego, California. Since a crash would have resulted in death or property damage for people on the ground, he elected to stay with the plane rather than parachute. He righted the craft to normal flying position by maneuvering the socket with his hand; then, lashing the stick back to the socket with his handkerchief, trouser belt and necktie, he made a successful landing. For this action, he received a letter of commendation from the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department.

From the West Coast, Jerome was again ordered to Quantico, where he served with Aircraft Squadrons, East Coast Expeditionary Force. He then completed a tour of temporary duty in Nicaragua before entering the Post Graduate School at the Naval Academy in June 1932. He went on from there to the California Institute of Technology at Pasadena, where he obtained his Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

Advanced to captain in May 1934, Jerome reported to the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, before he was detailed to the American Legation in Bogota, Colombia as Naval Attaché and Naval Attaché for Air at the American Legation in Bogota, Columbio to the governments of Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. While serving in the latter capacity, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in April 1937, for his daring rescue of the survivors of a Venezuelan plane crash. Using an amphibious plane, he repeatedly flew over the treacherous jungles of Cuyuni in search of the wreck. After finding it, he made two hazardous landings on the narrow Cuyuni River to rescue four survivors.

On his return to the United States, Jerome entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, where he was promoted to major. He completed the school in May 1939, and served again at the Naval Air Station, San Diego, until May 1940, when he was ordered to Washington once more for duty in the Bureau of Aeronautics. He later served as officer in charge of the Reserve Personnel Section and as assistant director of the Division of Aviation at Marine Corps Headquarters, where he received his promotions to lieutenant colonel and colonel. From 30 March 1943 to 12 May 1943, Col. Jerome served as acting director of aviation.[4]

World War II

In World War II, Jerome participated in the consolidation of the Northern Solomons, the Treasury-Bougainville operation, the Bismarck Archipelago campaign and the Luzon and Mindanao fighting in the Philippines. He earned his first Legion of Merit with Combat "V" as operations officer on the staff of the commander, Aircraft, Northern Solomons, from November 1943, to March 1944, during air operations against the Japanese in the Bougainvile-Rabaul-New Ireland area.

His second Legion of Merit was for meritorious service from June to December 1944, as chief of staff to the commander, Air, Northern Solomons, and as commander, aircraft, and island commander, Emirau. His third, awarded by the army, was for service on Luzon in January and February 1945, while commanding Mangalden airstrip and Marine Air Groups at Dagupan. During that period, he directed Marine air support on all the Luzon battlefronts. He also received the Bronze Star Medal (Army) and the Air Medal in World War II.

After participating in five campaigns, Jerome returned to the United States in July 1945, to take command of the Marine Corps Air Station in Quantico. He was named Chief of Staff of the Marine Corps Schools there in June 1948, and in April 1949, was promoted to brigadier general. In July 1949, he was ordered again to Marine Corps Headquarters, where he served simultaneously as director of public information, director of recruiting, and director of Marine Corps history.

1950s / Korean War

In September 1950, Jerome became the Director of Aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps.[4] From April 1952 to December 1952, he took command of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Korea, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal and his fourth Legion of Merit for his leadership in that capacity. The awards were presented to him by the U.S. Air Force. In July 1952, he was promoted to major general.

In January 1953, he reported to Cherry Point, North Carolina, to serve both as commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and commanding general, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. When those commands were separated in October 1953, he moved Norfolk, Virginia, to serve in the latter capacity. He remained at Norfolk until July 1955, and assumed his final duties 1 August 1955 as commanding general, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He retired in 1959 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

Dates of rank
Insignia Rank Dates
Second lieutenant 1922–April 1927
First lieutenant April 1927 – May 1934
Captain May 1934 – c. 1939
Major c. 1939 –
Lieutenant colonel
Colonel
Brigadier general April 1949 – July 1952
Major general July 1952 – 1959
Lieutenant general 1959

Military awards

Jerome held many decorations for distinguished service and service medals including:[5][6]
Naval Aviator Badge
1st
Row		 Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with three ​5⁄16" Gold Stars and Combat "V" Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"
2nd
Row		 Air Medal Navy Unit Commendation with one star World War I Victory Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
3rd
Row		 Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal Yangtze Service Medal American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp American Campaign Medal
4th
Row		 Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four 3/16 inch silver service stars World War II Victory Medal Korean Service Medal with two 3/16 inch silver service stars National Defense Service Medal
5th
Row		 Philippine Liberation Medal with one star Commander of the Order of the British Empire (New Zealand award) Grand Official of the Order of Merit (Chile) United Nations Korea Medal
Military offices
Preceded by
William J. Wallace (USMC)		 Director of Aviation
September 1, 1950 - April 1, 1952		 Succeeded by
William O. Brice

Personal life

Jerome was married to Sarah Hunter "Sally" Jerome. Sally authored the book The Marine Corps Wife, which was "a guide to approved customs of military social life".[7] Her sons are retired Marine Corps Colonel J. Hunter Reinburg, author of Aerial Combat Escapades: A Pilot's Logbook: The True Combat Aerial Adventures of an American Fighter Pilot.; and, retired Air Force Colonel George Reinburg.[8]

Jerome died of cancer on February 13, 1978, at age 77, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Arlington Virginia.[8] He was survived by his wife and two stepsons.[8] He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[9]

His widow Sally died in 1992.[7]

References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.

Notes:

  1. Kelly, C. Brian (2017). Proud to Be a Marine: Stories of Strength and Courage from the Few and the Proud. Naperville, Illinois: Cumberland House. ...his own stepfather, later Lt. Gen. Clayton C. Jerome, would be a World War II and Korean Ware Marine Corps combat pilot.
  2. "Lucky Bag – USNA Class of 1922". United States Naval Academy. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
  3. Sambito (1978), page 1.
  4. Tierney, Elizabeth L. (1962). A Brief History of Marine Corps Aviation. p. 13. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  5. Calloway, James R. (1964). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 88th Congress. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. p. 20093. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  6. "Valor awards for Clayton C. Jerome". valor.militarytimes.com. Militarytimes. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  7. "Obituaries: Sarah 'Sally' Jerome". The Washington Post. September 16, 1992. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  8. "Clayton C. Jerome, 77, Dies". The Washington Post. February 15, 1978. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  9. "Gen Clayton Charles "Jerry" Jerome". Find-A-Grave. Retrieved 2018-02-16.

Sources:

  • Garand, George W.; Strowbridge, Truman R. (1971). "PART IV: Marines in the Philippines". Volume IV: Western Pacific Operations. History of the U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II. Historical Branch, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
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