Chief Kerr Leaves Legacy of Service and Safety

Photo By Master Sgt. Paul Meeker | Good friends and Joint Task Force housemates, Air Force Capt. Kenneth Artz and Army Chief Warrant Officer John Kerr, enjoy a parting photo opportunity. Kerr leaves, Dec. 29, and retires in April from an Army career that began in 1966. "They don't make many men like him anymore. I am proud to have served with him," says Artz.  

01.04.2008

Courtesy Story

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

By Air Force Capt. Kenneth Artz
JTF Assistant Staff Judge Advocate

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – There are not many men in America with a life story like my housemate, Army Chief Warrant Officer John Kerr. The Joint Task Force Guantanamo Safety officer is a real life Forrest Gump that keeps popping up at crucial moments in American history.

In August 1966, Kerr made a conscious decision to enlist in the Army, although Vietnam was "in the back of [his] mind." Kerr was assigned to the 82nd Airborne and willingly volunteered to fight in Vietnam. However, because of the Army policy at the time, Kerr had to wait until his older brother finished his own Vietnam tour before he could go.

In the meantime, communist Russia invaded in 1968. The 82nd was sent to Greece to train for a potential NATO mission to free Czechoslovakia from Russia's grip. While practicing an airborne jump, the static line wrapped around Kerr's left bicep and shredded the muscle. He passed out from the pain and woke up to a Greek shouting at him while the wind pulled him and his chute across the Greek desert. Kerr thought he had died and believed "God was speaking Greek to me and I couldn't understand what he was saying." By the time he regained the use of his left arm later in '69, his enlistment was up.

Kerr opened an audio-stereo company in Kent, Ohio. While there he was a witness to some of the riots that left four Kent State students dead. From a friend's house he watched the Reserve Officer Training Corps building burn. He ran his company until 1980 when he reenlisted in the Army with a dream of attending flight school.

He entered flight school at Ft. Rucker, Ala., in 1983 and graduated as a warrant officer and UH-1 Huey helicopter pilot. Following flight school, he joined the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne. In 1985, Kerr and his unit were sent to the Sinai Peninsula for a six month peacekeeping mission. With one month remaining Kerr was called home because of his father's unexpected death.

Tragically, his band of brothers never made it home. On Dec. 12, 1985, after stopping in Gander, New Foundland for fuel, the chartered Arrow Air Douglas DC-8 jet carrying 248 soldiers of the 101st Airborne and eight crew members crashed shortly after takeoff killing all aboard. Kerr would have been on that plane.

In 1986, a polyp burst in Kerr's sinus cavity while on a training mission causing blood to impair his vision. Fortunately, his co-pilot landed the helicopter. He thought the doctors had tackled his sinus issue, but the polyp reared its ugly head again while flying in Operation Desert Shield in 1990. The Army permanently grounded Kerr that same year. No longer able to follow his flying passion, Kerr again separated from the Army with over 14 years in service.

In 1991, Kerr returned to civilian life. In 1992, he attempted to get back into the Army but was turned away because of the Army's downsizing. He worked for Peterbuilt Motor Company in Madison, Tenn. where he met his incredible wife, Sally.

In 2004, Kerr and Sally were weeks away from moving into their dream house located on three acres in rural Georgia when his wife walked in with the mail.

"Sally told me that I had better be sitting down because of the letter I received from the Army," Kerr said.

The letter notified Kerr that he was being recalled to active duty in support of the Global War on Terror. He was shocked since he'd had no contact with the Army in 12 years. He learned he was still a commissioned warrant officer. He had forgotten to resign his commission.

Though recall to active duty was unexpected, his new wife quickly adapted to active duty military life.

"My wife couldn't be more proud of me. She is a huge supporter of the Troops and she couldn't be more proud my service to this great country. This is her first experience being around the military and she couldn't be happier."

Kerr deployed to Iraq for 15 months as a safety officer where he spent time in Tikrit, Camp Speicher and Camp Liberty. After he returned home, the Army sent him here where he will finish his deployment early next month. He plans to retire in April from his final assignment in Camp Shelby, Miss.

Kerr is rightfully proud of his military service and his current career field as a safety officer. When he was flying helicopters, he lived the safety mission each time he flew. He has used his experience to keep Troopers safe, especially the younger ones.

"Safety is a leadership issue. If the leaders do not show concern for their troops' safety, then the troops won't find it important to be safe."

Kerr is a true gentleman who has lived a life of sorrow and joy. He is a man who loves God, family and country. Each time his country called, Kerr answered the call honorably. They don't make many men like him anymore. I am proud to have served with him.

• Date Taken: 01.04.2008
• Date Posted: 01.04.2008 12:46
• Story ID: 15178