Jerry Yellin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerome Yellin
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| Born | February 15, 1924 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | December 21, 2017 (aged 93) Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Captain (United States O-3) |
| Battles/wars | World War II Air raids on Japan Pacific Ocean theater of World War II Battle of Iwo Jima |
Jerome "Jerry" Yellin (February 15, 1924 – December 21, 2017) was a brave United States Army Air Forces fighter pilot during World War II. He is famous for flying what is believed to be the very last combat mission of the war. After the war, Jerry became well known for working towards peace with Japan and helping other soldiers who struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He also wrote several books, including his life story, Jerry's Last Mission.
Contents
Becoming a Pilot
Jerome Yellin was born in Newark, New Jersey. His father worked in real estate. After finishing high school in Hillside, New Jersey, Jerry worked at a steel mill. He saved money for college.
But then, on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Two months later, on his 18th birthday, Jerry joined the United States Army Air Forces. He wanted to serve his country.
Jerry's War Experience
Jerry Yellin began his flight training in Arizona. He became a fighter pilot in August 1943. He learned to fly P-40 and P 47 Thunderbolt planes. His training continued in Hawaii.
In March 1944, Jerry had to parachute out of his P-40 plane. Its engine failed over the ocean. He spent nine hours in a life raft before being rescued.
Fighting in Iwo Jima
Jerry was part of the 78th Fighter Squadron. In March 1945, he landed his North American P-51 Mustang on Iwo Jima. This was after the first airfield there was made safe.
For the rest of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Jerry flew missions. He attacked Japanese positions to support the Marines fighting on the ground. He also led his squadron on missions against Japanese forces on the nearby island of Chichijima.
First Missions Over Japan
On April 7, 1945, Jerry flew in the first land-based fighter mission over Japan. He flew 19 dangerous missions from Iwo Jima. These missions attacked the Japanese mainland. He also provided air cover for B-29 bombers.
Jerry and his wingman, Daniel Mathis, shot down one Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero plane. They also likely destroyed another Zero. Jerry was a very skilled pilot. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his bravery.
The Last Combat Flight
Jerry Yellin's most famous mission happened five days after the U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.
A Historic Mission
On August 14, 1945, Jerry and another pilot, Phillip Schlamberg, took off from Iwo Jima. They were flying P-51 planes to attack an airfield near Tokyo. They did not know that Japan's Emperor Hirohito was about to announce Japan's surrender.
Jerry and Schlamberg completed their mission. They then flew into a cloud cover. Jerry came out, but Schlamberg's plane was gone. He was likely shot down. Schlamberg became the last known combat death of World War II.
The War Ends
Jerry was low on fuel. He flew four hours back to Iwo Jima. When he landed, he learned the war had ended!
While other missions happened after Jerry's, his flight is considered the last combat mission of the war. August 14, 1945 (August 15 in Japan) is known as Victory over Japan Day, or "V-J Day." This is when World War II effectively ended. The war officially ended on September 2, 1945, when Japan formally surrendered on the USS Missouri.
The Last Fighter Pilot
The story of Jerry Yellin's final flight is told in the book The Last Fighter Pilot: The True Story of the Final Combat Mission of World War II. The book was written by Don Brown and published in 2017. Jerry Yellin helped with the book and wrote its introduction.
Jerry and Don Brown appeared together to talk about the book. They spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. In 2018, The Last Fighter Pilot was named one of "10 World War II Books Every American Should Read" by Townhall magazine.
Finding Peace with Japan
In the early 1980s, Jerry visited Tokyo for a business trip. For the first time, he saw the Japanese people not as enemies, but as friends.
A Family Connection
In 1984, Jerry's youngest son moved to Japan. He married a Japanese woman. This meant Jerry had three Japanese-American grandchildren. His grandchildren's other grandfather had been a kamikaze pilot in the war. At first, he didn't want his daughter to marry Jerry's son.
But when he learned Jerry was a P-51 fighter pilot who flew missions over Iwo Jima and Japan, his mind changed. He wanted the blood of a brave man to flow in his grandchildren's veins. The two grandfathers became good friends. Through his family, Jerry's feelings changed "from hatred to love" for the Japanese people.
He traveled a lot to speak about peace and understanding. His autobiography, Of War and Weddings, was re-released as Jerry's Last Mission. This was to go along with a documentary about his life.
Returning to Iwo Jima
In 2010, Jerry returned to Iwo Jima as a civilian. He took part in a special ceremony called the "Reunion of Honor." This event remembers soldiers from both Japan and the United States who fought in the battle. He also went back in 2015 and 2016 for the same ceremony.
Helping Veterans with PTSD
Jerry Yellin was honorably discharged from the Army Air Forces in December 1945. When he came home, he felt restless and depressed. He was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At the time, PTSD was not yet recognized as a medical condition.
Finding a Solution
Jerry struggled to keep a job. He moved often and even lived in Israel for a while. In 1975, his wife, Helene, encouraged him to try Transcendental Meditation (TM). This helped to ease his PTSD symptoms.
He became a strong supporter of TM as a treatment for PTSD. He helped start Operation Warrior Wellness. This program, part of the David Lynch Foundation, teaches TM to veterans with PTSD. The David Lynch Foundation also created the Jerry Yellin Resilient Warrior Fund. This fund helps soldiers and first responders learn TM. Jerry also co-founded Operation Warrior Shield to help veterans and first responders. He traveled across the U.S. to share his experiences with PTSD and TM.
Documentary Film
Jerry's Last Mission is a full-length documentary film about Jerry Yellin's life. The film shows his war experiences and how he struggled with hatred and severe PTSD after returning home. It explains how Transcendental Meditation helped him heal decades later.
The movie also tells the story of how Jerry faced his fears when his youngest son married the daughter of a Kamikaze pilot. In his later years, Jerry worked to promote peace and understanding between different cultures. The film was directed by Louisa Marino and produced by Melissa Hibbard and Oscar-winner Ed Cunningham.
Books by Jerry Yellin
Besides his autobiography, Jerry's Last Mission, and The Last Fighter Pilot, Jerry Yellin wrote three other books:
- The Blackened Canteen: This book is based on a true story from June 1945. Two American bombers crashed over Japan, killing 23 airmen. A Japanese farmer bravely buried their remains and built a shrine to honor both American and Japanese soldiers. Years later, people in Japan started an annual service to remember them. Yoko Ono said this story "strikes a deep chord" with her.
- The Resilient Warrior: This book describes Jerry's long struggle with PTSD. It explains how learning TM in 1975 helped him and how it can help others with PTSD.
- The Letter: This is a novel about how religion and politics can divide people. Actor Troy Evans (actor) praised the book for fighting against "religious bigotry, hatred, and intolerance."
Jerry is also featured in the book The Last Veterans of World War II: Portraits and Memories by Richard Bell.
Honoring World War II Veterans
In 2010, Jerry Yellin worked with actor Ernest Borgnine and U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Frank Lautenberg. They helped Congress vote to create Spirit of '45 Day. This day honors the men and women of the World War II generation. It is celebrated in August, around the anniversary of the war's end and Jerry's final flight.
As the national spokesman for Spirit of '45, Jerry traveled the country. He spoke in support of the day and for veterans. He even appeared with actress Scarlett Johansson, who is the grandniece of Phillip Schlamberg, his wingman on the last mission.
Jerry was also a member of the Iwo Jima Association of America. In 2018, he received the Major General Fred Haynes USMC Legacy Award. This award honored his work in teaching thousands of people about the Battle of Iwo Jima. It helped make sure future generations would remember the legacy of that island.
Jerry's Family Life
Jerry Yellin married Helene Schulman in 1949. They were married for 66 years until Helene passed away in 2015. They had four sons: David, Steven, Michael, and Robert Yellin. They also had six grandchildren. Three of his grandchildren live in Japan, and three live in the United States.
Jerry was also a talented golfer. He was an amateur golf champion in New Jersey. He even won a silver medal in golf at the 1965 Maccabiah Games in Israel. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was a well-known tennis umpire in Florida. He was a chair umpire for many professional tennis matches, including at the 1969 US Open (tennis).
His Final Years
Jerry Yellin passed away from lung cancer on December 21, 2017, at the age of 93. He died at his son Steven's home in Orlando, Florida.
His remains were buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on January 15, 2019. The ceremony included a flyover by A-10 Warthog fighter jets and a P-51 leading the missing man formation.
Images for kids
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Don Brown & Yellin discuss the book The Last Fighter Pilot at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, August 3, 2017.
