Jerry Wayne Witherspoon was born in Dallas, TX, the son of Garvin and Helen Witherspoon. His father, nine uncles, and four first cousins all served in WWII. Jerry was introduced to the military by listening to war stories at family gatherings. Other early historical and patriotic influence came from large family reunions during which the Declaration of Independence was read. One of the signers was John Witherspoon, a great-great-great-great-great uncle. The genesis of his own military career was high school Jr. ROTC, where he eventually graduated as the battalion XO. Jerry received his appointment to West Point from then-Senator Lyndon Johnson. Jerry arrived at the Academy with 32 cents to his name, having borrowed to fund transportation for his first trip out of Texas.
Jerry got off to a slow start in academics because of a knee operation in September of Plebe Year. Starting math in October after a lengthy recovery put him in a deep hole from which he barely survived through the end of the first semester. This academic difficulty was definitely an anomaly since he became an academic coach to several companymates and finished in the top of our class. Jerry had not played high school sports so did not participate in corps squad athletics. He did, however, possess natural athletic ability and enjoyed success in intramural soccer, lacrosse, and in the Cow Year goat-engineer football game. Jerry’s spiritual side was evident as he taught Sunday school at the Cadet Chapel.
Jerry chose the Corps of Engineers at graduation. He married Susan Brindley, sister of classmate Pete, and reported to the 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, TX. His first child, Margaret, was born there. After two years, he transferred to the Artillery and reported to Fort Sill. His second daughter, Patty, arrived there. He left Fort Sill the day after Kennedy’s assassination. He attended several schools, and four days after his son Michael (USMA ’86) was born he arrived in Vietnam. He was assigned as an advisor, 21st Infantry Division, ARVN. During this assignment, Jerry’s battalion was ordered to attack a Vietcong unit which had just rebuffed a force of five Civil Guard companies. Both the ARVN commander and Jerry asked to hold off the attack until morning because it was already getting dark and the VC outnumbered his force by about 400 to 250. Nevertheless, they were ordered to immediately attack. The battalion was ambushed, 111 were killed, and 85 were wounded. Jerry was severely wounded, evacuated, and after surgery in the Nha Trang hospital was returned to the States. Jerry always thought it strange that he was never visited by anyone from his unit, nor contacted in any way. Later, while researching his part in the engagement, he found a newspaper article concerning the action. It was described as the worst ARVN defeat to that point in the war and that no U.S. advisors were involved in the action!
Upon recovering from his injuries, Jerry attended the Career Course and then volunteered for another tour in Vietnam. He was assigned to his original artillery battalion, where he commanded two batteries in combat. Unfortunately, although he enjoyed those assignments, his marriage suffered and resulted in divorce. Jerry then attended the Guided Missile School prior to being assigned to the Artillery Board at Fort Sill. There he married Susan Stewart in 1967. After the Artillery Board, he went to the Armed Forces Staff College, then UNC-Chapel Hill to earn a master’s degree in psychology. Jerry was then assigned as a professor at West Point in the MP&L Department. He earned a second master’s degree (MBA). During this time, Susie presented him with two children, Theresa and Mark. He later said that "was the highlight of his West Point assignment." From there, the family proceeded to the DC area where Jerry was assigned to successive Pentagon assignments in the DA Office of Research and Development and DA Office of Personnel. Jerry then retired as a lieutenant colonel. One of the things he said that he most enjoyed about the Army was the challenge of the next assignment being a job he had never done before.
Jerry’s first civilian job was with the Army Mutual Aid Association. He later moved to California to work ten years in various research engineer and human resource positions, culminating as Manager, Human Relations, FMC Corporation. Jerry received his third master’s degree (MS) at Golden Gate University. In 1992, he took early retirement to set up his own business as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He sold the business and entered full retirement in 2002.
While in California, he became very active in the Episcopal Church. He held positions at the Parish, Diocesan, and National levels. His involvement in the church was a time of great spiritual development and of enormous importance as he faced the devastating diagnosis of inoperable pancreatic cancer. Jerry’s indomitable courage was a truly remarkable testimony to the power of his spiritual belief and a model to emulate if ever one should face similar circumstances. Evidence of Jerry’s exceptional impact on others was the overflowing attendance at his "Celebration of Life" memorial service.
As classmates, companymates, and some of us roommates of Jerry, we want his family to know how proud we were of his character, humility, courage, and dedication to God and to our Country. We valued his friendship and shall miss him.
Well done good soldier and faithful servant.
—’60 E-2 Companymates