IL SR1391

Colonel Jerry J. Felmley, formerly of Bloomington, passed away on July 21, 2020, and the Illinois Senate expresses its mourning and condolences to his family and loved ones.

Felmley graduated from the University of Illinois with a civil engineering degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in 1955, later completing pilot training and serving in international flying operations across Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.

During the Vietnam War, Felmley served as an aircraft commander on aerospace rescue and recovery missions, leading the Rescue C-130 tanker and communications aircraft that supported the Jolly Green helicopter forces during the famous Son Tay POW rescue mission in November 1970.

Felmley was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, three Meritorious Service Medals, seven Air Medals, and two Presidential Unit Citations, accumulating over 11,000 flying hours in 27 different aircraft before retiring from the Air Force in 1981.

After retirement, Felmley founded Catalyst Associates, a consulting group for aerospace research and development management, and was an active member of numerous charitable and professional organizations including the Air Force Association and the Order of Daedalians.