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Jerry grew up in Marietta, his Mother worked at the bank (First National) for years and his Dad worked for Robertson's Hams. His younger brother, Jim, is a 4-Star General.
Colonel (retired) Jerry “JW” Thurman, 68, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, died Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown.
Colonel JW Thurman enlisted into the United States Army in March of 1966. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and attended the Field Artillery Basic Course in May of 1967. After Flight School, Colonel Thurman was deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam where he was assigned to 2nd Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Colonel Thurman then branch transferred to Armor Branch, serving tours in Armored and Cavalry assignments in Europe and in the United States.
He commanded A Company 2-32 Armor, 3rd Armored Division at Kirchgoens, Germany in 1975. In 1983 he commanded the 3rd Squadron 12th Cavalry, 3rd Armored Division at Budingen, Germany. Colonel Thurman had several assignments at the Armor School and Fort Knox where he was the Chief of Tactics and Director of the Command and Staff Department. His most notable achievement was his establishment of the Armored Scout Platoon Leaders Course where he helped shape young Officers and Non Commissioned Officers in Armored Reconnaissance. Colonel Thurman’s last duty assignment was as the G3 Operations Officer 2nd US Army at Fort Gillem, Georgia.
Colonel Thurman’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit 2 OCL, Distinguished Flying Cross 2 OCL, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart 2 OCL, Meritorious Service Medal 4 OCL, Air Medal 23 with V device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal 2 OCL, Vietnam Service Medal 4, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 2 OCL, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and the Army Aviator Badge. He was also inducted into the Field Artillery OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Sill.
Colonel Thurman retired from the army after over 27 years of distinguished and honorable service to the United States of America.
JW was a member of American Legion Post 113 and V.F.W. Post 10281.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack W. and Nettie Mae Thurman and a niece, Carey Lee Thurman Thomas.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Thurman of Elizabethtown; daughter and son-in-law, Jerri Christine and Christopher Berry of Palm Coast, Florida; son and daughter-in-law, CMDR James Patton and Beth Thurman of Fort Worth, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, General (ret.) James D. and Dee Thurman of Salado, Texas; four grandchildren, Justyn Christine Berry, Austyn Nicole Berry, William Porter Thurman and James Gray Thurman; two great-grandchildren; the mother of his children, Ellen Hack of Palm Coast; brother-in-law, Bruce Johnson of Elizabethtown and two nieces, Jaime Brown of Fort Riley, Kansas and Laura Johnson of Elizabethtown.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 27 at Nelson-Edelen-Bennett Funeral Home in Radcliff, Kentucky with Chaplain Hugh Dukes officiating. Burial with full military honors followed in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Warrior Transition Housing. Make check to FKWTA, in memory of JW Thurman and mail to 100 Sandy Hill Court, Bardstown, KY 40004.
Online guest book: www.nebfh.com
This obituary included a picture of Colonel Thurman.
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