Illich, Jerry Thomas

Born April 30, 1893, in Los Angeles, California. Son of Jerry and Helen Stovell Illich. Home, San Diego, California. Educated Belmont School, California, and University of California, Class of 1913. Farming. Joined American Field Service, December 30, 1915; attached Section Three to May 22, 1916. Returned to America. Subsequently enlisted U.S. Aviation at Chico, California. Trained University of California and Rockwell Field, San Diego. Commissioned First Lieutenant, January 9, 1917. Trained Camp Dick, Texas, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Camp Columbia, South Carolina. Sailed for France, September 13, 1918. Attached 278th Aero Squadron. Killed in accident, April 7, 1919, at Toni. Buried American Cemetery, Toul, Meurthe-et-Moselle. Body transferred to Thiaucourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle.

AFTER five months with a Field Service section on the Lorraine front, to have gone back to the United States to enter the aviation branch of the army, to have trained in various parts of the country and then finally, having returned to the front in the 278th Aero Squadron with prospects of immediate active service, and then to have lost his life in a sudden and avoidable accident --- this was the tragic misfortune of Jerry Illich. Nor was that all. Adding to the bitterness of the tragedy, two other American lives were needlessly sacrificed in a heartbroken effort to pay homage to Illich.

The unfortunate accident at Toul is described by Illich's sister, as follows:

"On April 7, 1919, Lieutenant Illich and four others were walking across a field where there were several hangars and planes 'warming up.' Suddenly one started to take off. An officer about forty feet in front of my brother saw him, ran, and yelled a warning at the same time. But my brother turned to see what was coming and found the machine so close that he threw himself on the ground, thinking the plane would rise above him. But the pilot was unable to do this, and the plane's wheel hit my brother between the shoulders, crushing his heart. He lived only a few minutes.

"The Lieutenant in the plane that killed my brother was beside himself . . . . . and the day of the funeral, wanted to pay a final tribute by showering flowers upon the cortège. While doing this he crashed into another machine, above the grave, and the two came down, one in flames, the other a total wreck. Both pilots were instantly killed. They now lie beside my brother in the cemetery at Toul."

Jerry Illich's devotion to duty was described by a friend in a letter written when the former first volunteered for service in France: "Jerry wishes to go and serve in the ambulance unit, knowing that such adventure is not a pleasure trip and appreciating full well the hard work which will follow. He goes for the service to mankind which he can render."

He first sailed for France in December of 1915 to join the American Ambulance Field Service, and was sent with Section Three to Lorraine, where he served loyally and efficiently for five months.

Returning to the United States, Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Service at Chico, California: and entered the first school of aviation at the University of California. From there he went to Rockwell Field, where he was commissioned a First Lieutenant. After training at Camp Dick and Fort Sill, he received his sailing orders while at Camp Columbia, South Carolina. He sailed from New York, September 13, 1918, and, the following month, joined the 278th Aero Squadron at Toul. There he remained until the time of his death, April 7, 1919.

In the little American cemetery near Toul, last resting place of many American aviators, three graves side by side mark the place where lie these three loyal Americans overtaken by such unforseen misfortune. There upon his grave wreaths were kept fresh for months by comrades who carried on to victory the fight to which Jerry Illich had dedicated his life.