CAPT Jerrold M. Zacharias, USN (Ret) Golden Eagle Emeritus
Gentlemen, It is my sad duty to report that Golden Eagle Emeritus Capt. Jerry Zacharias, USN (Ret) made his Last Take Off on 3 May 2020 at the age of 92 years old. Zach was born in December 1927 and moved often during his early years as his father had graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1912. His father, Ellis M. Zacharias was fluent in Japanese and remained on active duty until Zach enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1946. Boot camp was at the Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, Maryland, and Zach graduated in July of 1947 with orders to USS Wisconsin (BB-64) as a Deck seaman. Almost immediately, he was sent to the Naval Academy Prep School also located in Bainbridge, Maryland. In 1948 Jerry Zacharias entered the U. S. Naval Academy as a Midshipman and graduated with the class of 1952. In September of that year, he began his Naval Aviation training in Pensacola, Florida, and received his wings in December 1953 at NAAS Kingsville, Texas.
Zach’s first squadron tour was with VF-72 flying F9F-5s and then A4D-1 aircraft at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. VF-72 became VA-72 and moved to NAS Oceana, deploying in USS Hornet (CVA-12) to the 7th Fleet in 1955. Jerry served as squadron LSO, the first of many LSO tours. He was one of the first fleet LSOs to transition from the old “paddles,” to the Mirror Landing System and then to the Fresnel Lens System. In 1958, Zach was assigned as a flight instructor and LSO at ATU-203 (eventually VT-24) in Beeville, Texas. From Texas, he was assigned to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he received his BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Zach returned to the fleet after spending time in VF-174 (F-8 RAG), VF-101 (F-4 RAG) and VF-43 (A-4 RAG) before joining CVG-8 staff as LSO/Safety Officer. He flew the A4D-2N and AD-6 on Mediterranean deployments in USS Forrestal (CVA-59) and USS Essex (CVS-9).
He then began his Department Head tour in back-to-back sea duty with VA-83 in 1963, flying the A-4E as Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer. He deployed to the Mediterranean in USS Forrestal (CV-59) and USS Independence (CVA-62). Following quick stops at CVG-8 as the Operations Officer and the Armed Forces Staff College as a student, Jerry joined VA-42, the A-6 RAG, as a student flying the A-6A prior to becoming XO of VA-75, again deploying to the Mediterranean in USS Independence (CVA-62).
He became CO of VA-75 in June, 1967, and the squadron deployed as part of CAG-11 in USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) to WestPac for combat operations in Vietnam. During his CO tour Jerry Zacharias and BN Mike Hall received the Navy Cross for their participation in a night joint strike together with VA-35 from USS Enterprise (CVN-65) against Hanoi Port facilities. The strike is described in Jerry’s own words in the article “A Trip Downtown” and can be found on the internet as well in the condensed version in Jerry Zacharias’ Bio on The Golden Eagle website.
Completing his tour as CO of VA-75, Zach served as Head, Attack Air Warfare Section at Operational Test and Evaluation Force in Norfolk, Virginia. He actively participated in the initial development of the A-6C TRIM pod. TRIM stood for Trails, Roads, and Interdiction Multi-sensor and was one of many things that was developed for the A-6 aircraft. He was then assigned to the National War College as a student before becoming the Special Assistant to the CNO for POW/MIA Matters (OP-09BW) where he coordinated the Navy’s participation in “Operation Homecoming” for POWs returning from Vietnam.
Zach then commanded USS Francis Marion (LPA-249) from August 1973 until December 1974. Francis Marion was a Paul Revere-class Attack Transport ship carrying US Marines and participated in many amphibious assault training exercises. In January 1975 Jerry became the Deputy Director, Aviation Programs (OP-51B) on the OPNAV Staff where he served until his retirement from active duty in March 1978. Captain Zacharias flew 22 different aircraft during his almost 32-year career accumulating 3642 hours of flight time and 610 arrested landings (129 on straight deck carriers!). He was a pilot in the first Navy A-4D squadron and his combat missions over North Vietnam totaled 87. His combat decorations include the Navy Cross, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 10 Air Medals (2 individual and 8 Strike/ Flight) and numerous campaign and unit awards and citations. After his retirement, Jerry spent 14 years with the DCS Corporation as a Senior Vice President and Operations manager offering advanced technology and management solutions to government agencies in the national security sector. He was also very involved with the Class of 1952 from the U. S. Naval Academy. After attending wife Rita’s 50th class reunion at Linden Hall in Lititz, PA, he decided Lancaster County would be the perfect place to retire. They moved into the Willow Valley Communities apartment complex. Zach told his classmates about Willow Valley, and soon members of the Class of ’52 began moving in. Once referred to by one of his classmates as a “band of bad brothers” for pranks they initiated at USNA, five of his classmates moved into Willow Valley. They stayed very close and met regularly to rehash stories from the past. One such story which was a favorite needs to be included here. It seems on June 6, 1952, the Naval Academy parade ground in Annapolis, Maryland, was lined with 1,566 empty shoes arranged in neat rows. Members of the Class of ’52 were set to attend their graduation ceremony that afternoon at Dahlgren Hall and march in their final parade.
They abruptly stepped out of their shoes and marched on in their socks. The maverick class’s motto was “Tough shoes to fill,” and their stunt nearly cost them their commissions. The superintendent Adm. (Harry) Hill was furious. But, when he found out that a quarter of the class that went into the Air Force because there was no Air Force Academy at that time, had already been commissioned, he had to relent. If he had held up the commissioning, those in the Air Force would have been senior to all of the Navy Ensigns, and that’s a big deal. So he relented, and he was subsequently made an honorary member of the Class of ’52.”
Zach was also very active in The Golden Eagles, having been a member since 1993. He was our Pilot from 2004 to 2006 and was the driving force in directing and producing our annual Reunion Memorial Services. He also maintained our Chronolog and was responsible for registering our trademark. He has advised the flight deck on the status of the trademark as recently as last month and was a recipient of any and all emails related to memorial service plans.
Jerry Zacharias was married to the former Rita Jeannine Timmons of Millsboro, Delaware, and they have three sons; Matthew (Spouse Vickie and two grandsons), David (Spouse Cindy, granddaughter and grandson as well as great-grandson), and Dana (deceased).
 Zach was a gifted aviator, a compassionate leader and a truly dedicated husband and family man. His “spirit of attack” permeated everything he did and he, indeed, leaves very big shoes to fill! He will be missed.
In sadness, John Mazach
If and when memorial services/interment plans are made available, they will be published in a Special Notice.