Gerald Raymond “Jerry” Linn was born on June 24, 1942 in Molalla, Oregon. He was the son of Virginia Spangler (1913-1998) and Orville David Linn (1909-1979). Jerry attended Millard School in Langlois, Oregon as a Falcon Scholar in 1960-1961 and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in 1965 where he was a member of Cadet Squadron 15.

After graduation from the USAFA, he attended pilot training and then upgraded to F-4C's. He ferried a F-4 to SEA and attempted to remain in country, however he was unsuccessful.

On October 29, 1968, he was assigned to the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 'Screaming Eagles' 8th Tactical Fighter Wing 'Wolf Pack' stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand flying F-4D 'Phantom II' fighters. On May 20, 1969, he volunteered to become a Wolf FAC Forward Air Controller.

Returning stateside in 1978 he became Commander of the F-4G 'Wild Weasel' test team at George Air Force Base, Victorville, California.

He was then assigned to the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany. On July 9, 1982, Jerry became commander of the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron, which was a 'Wild Weasel' squadron flying the F-4G.

On November 8, 1982, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Raymond Linn and Captain Daniel K. Raichlen were flying F-4G, 69-0252, a low level training mission in Germany when the aircraft crashed near Neuhaus im Solling.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com