Jerry Agenbroad

Immediately following graduation, Jerry packed up for his new adventure, which would take him East to flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Jerry, and his brothers grew up watching World War II movies, and at a young age, the vision became clear that Jerry’s life mission would be to defend his country’s Flag via the air. Jerry was deployed to Vietnam in 1969.

Jerry accepted his military challenges and became very accomplished while in the Marines. Flying A-4 Skyhawks, he was the Commanding Officer of several Marine squadrons. He ranked as a Marine Corps Colonel, and in the early 80’s he was an aide-de-camp to U.S. General Kingston. At this level, Jerry was often involved in classified missions, which took him many places at the drop of a hat. It was one evening, Jerry got his assignment, and although he couldn’t tell his wife Helen where he was being sent, he muttered on his way out “at least I get to see the Pyramids.” Funny the Delta Sigma Phi irony.

In October of 1981, while with General Kingston in Cairo, Egypt, Jerry was at an Egyptian military show featuring Egyptian President, Mohammed Anwar Sadat. At the show, rebel Egyptian forces sprayed Sadat, and the audience with gunfire. Jerry was one of 3 Americans wounded in the assassination of Sadat, with a significant gunshot wound to his shin. It took Jerry two years of therapy and determination, but his hard work would pay off and he would eventually gain back his flight status.

Jerry passed away on February 23, 1995 at the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Orange County, California. He was in charge of MWR at the base at the time of his passing.

Story by Ron Agenbroad PC 64 and Tony Agenbroad PC 10.