Jerry Wells was a very popular and memorable young man, as evidenced by the number of tributes posted for him. Date of birth: 15 December 1948 Date tour began: 3 September 1967 Date of casualty: 22 January 1968 Home of record: Portland, Oregon Branch and Rank: Army, Private First Class Unit: B CO, 2ND BN, 503RD INFANTRY, 101ST ABN DIV, USARV Awards: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge Location of name on the Vietnam Wall: 35E, 12
Schools attended: Redland Grade School, Estacada High School Burial location: Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon Memorials: Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, DC)
The Oregonian, Friday, January 26, 1968 Four Oregon Servicemen Die in South Vietnam (excerpt) The Defense Department Thursday reported the deaths of four more Oregonians in Vietnam, including three from Portland… Army Pfc. Jerry D. Wells, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Armer Wells, was reported to have died not as the result of hostile action… The deaths increased to 215 the number of Oregonians who have lost their lives in Vietnam, including 16 this year. ********************************************************************
Jerry’s brother told us: Jerry Dan Wells wrestled all 4 years at Estacada High School, 4 years in FFA including being president his senior year. He also spent 4 years in metal shop, and was mentored by teacher, Mr. Babcock, who stayed in touch with my parents for 40 years after his death in Viet Nam. Jerry graduated in 1966, then went to work for the Gerber feed and seed company in Estacada. In 1967 he and his friend Dan Fouts decided to help save the world, and enlisted in the Army. Along with his family, he was a long time member of Redland Community Church. Jerry died in Viet Nam on January 22, 1968. He was platoon leader PFC in the Army 101st Airborne Infantry, and has been terribly missed by family and friends. He was survived by his parents Armer and Julie Wells (now deceased), brother Terry, and sister Jo Anne. ******************************************************************** The following remembrances were originally posted here: http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/55199/JERRY-D-WELLS
Jerry Dan Wells By Dan F. Jerry and I joined the army on the buddy system, however, we were separated after AIT. He was sent to Nam and me to Pathfinder School. One of the hardest days of my life was when I stood on the beach at Cam Ranh Bay in Viet Nam where he drowned. He will always be my best buddy and is with me today. ******************************************************************** jerry d wells BY RANDY B. (REDLAND GRADE SCHOOL) I actually touched you on the wall in DC in the early 80s. I finally found you my soul brother. You were the reason I went to Viet Nam(68-69) ******************************************************************** Good Friend BY DUANE D. Jerry and I were next door neighbors and we had great childhood together, we had a park across the street from our homes and enjoyed every minute we could get outside . I learned of Jerry’s death while I was deployed in the Navy and it was the hardest time I have ever spent accepting someone death. He was truly a good guy and I would have traded places with him any day. His family is and was at the time deeply religious and I believe his death was accepted only because they knew he was with the Lord. Still miss you Jerry!!!! ******************************************************************** Remembering Jerry BY BEVERLY L. Jerry and I were friends in high school. In the sixties it was fairly unusual for a girl to have a guy friend, but Jerry seemed to fit in well with a large circle of friends. Jerry was often quiet and shy around the opposite sex and never had a girlfriend that I can remember. He was a good student and what today might be called preppy, with a warm smile and kind words for those who knew him. Jerry was an agreeable guy and would have made a great employee, husband and father. Roles Jerry would never experience.
My father was one of Jerry's favorite high school teachers. Since Dad was a widower, Jerry's mom had us over for dinner several times. Jerry was home on leave from Viet Nam the last time Dad and I joined his family for dinner. He did not talk much about his first tour over there. As handsome as Jerry was in his Army uniform, he was ill fit for what was required of him there. He no longer wore that wonderful smile and the pain of what was required of him seemed evident. He seemed to know he would not be coming home from this tour.
Jerry may be gone but he is never forgotten. ********************************************************************