Podcasts Society & Culture Documentary Former Action Guys Podcast Ep. 012 - Capt Jerry Geller

Ep. 012 - Capt Jerry Geller

Published: Oct. 17, 2019, 8:14 a.m.

An F-4 Phantom pilot and Vietnam veteran, Capt Jerry Geller, is our guest for Ep. 012 of the Former Action Guys Podcast.

Recruited from college, Jerry joined the Marine Corps through the cadet program and began his flight training in Pensacola, FL. He positioned himself to be accepted into the jets training pipeline and eventually made it to VMFA-122 out of El Toro, California.

At VMFA-122 Jerry honed the pilot skills he would need in Vietnam like close air support (CAS), air-to-air combat, and deep air support (DAS). Once he was fully qualified, Jerry was sent to Vietnam to fly with VMFA-542 out of Chu Lai. 1967 was an active time in Vietnam and Jerry participated in multiple combat sorties that ranged from providing CAS to troops engaging enemy forces along with the defense of Khe Sanh.

The latter mission is how Jerry ended up bbeing shot down by enemy forces. Luckily, Jerry survived and is able to recall that experience and some of the follow-on actions for our listeners.

Website: www.jcramergraphics.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jcramergraphics
Instagram: www.instagram.com/formeractionguys
Twitter: https://twitter.com/4meractionguys
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcramergraphics/
Email: formeractionguyspodcast@gmail.com

Glossary:
7-Ton – Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement
ANGLICO – Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
BLT – Battalion Landing Team
EOD – Explosive Ordnance Disposal
FCT – Firepower Control Team
GBU – Guided Bomb Unit
GLT – Georgian Liaison Team (Georgian military advisors)
Hesco Barrier – Earthen filled barriers
HMMWV – High mobility multi-wheeled vehicle
IED – Improvised Explosive Device
JDAM – Joint Direct Attack Munition (GPS guided bomb)
JTAC – Joint Terminal Attack Controller
M-ATV – MRAP All-terrain vehicle
MRAP – Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (armored vehicle)
RO – Radio Operator
SALT – Supporting Arms Liaison Team
S Shops – S-1 (Administration), S-2 (Intel), S-3 (Operations), S-4 (Logistics), S-6 (Communication)
SVBIED – Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
VBIED – Vehicle-borne improvised explosive device