Our Ranger-in-the-Sky dies-COL (R) Jerry Bussell

[garyedolan]

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I announce the passing of my Brother Ranger, Front-Seat O-1 Birddog Pilot, COL (R) Jerry Bussell, last night. He was the brother I never had but always wanted. A true and jovial friend, his spirit was ever indomitable. I miss him. A brave warrior, he would expend his few under-wing rockets and recklessly dive on the enemy to draw fire when a team on the ground was in contact or give them a moment when perhaps the enemy would duck for fear of the approaching plane. He was a main character in my book. We have lost a great patriot, a wonderful man, a gallant leader and a kind soul.
http://homelandsecurity.nv.gov/ARCHIVE% ... tJerry.htm
Jerry & I in front of IRON MIKE when he was a guest speaker at our Echo/Charlie Rng Reunion:

[IEDmagnet]

RIP Warrior, your pain is done.

I'm truely sorry for your loss Sir. Prayers out.

[CharlieRanger1FFV]

Rest in Peace, Sir! May the Great JumpMaster in the Sky bid you welcome.



RLTW!!!

[Lefty]

I am sorry to learn of your loss, Gary.

RIP, Warrior.

Drive on, Rangers, we will meet at the rally point.......

[Ranger Bill]

Gary, I also know the relationship that builds with the men who fly. They are one of us and we are all alive becasue of them. We will all be at the Final Rally Point soon enough.

[KW Driver]

Blue skies and fair winds Sir.

[Dan B 3/75]

Respect.

[Ranger Ron]

RIP Ranger! Prayers out for family and friends.

~S~

Gary, I am truly sorry for your loss. Words never seem enough so just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as well.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Rest in Peace Sky Warrior.

[Buzz]

Rest in Peace Sir.

[Steadfast]

RIP Warrior

My condolences to you Gary, your's & his family & friends.

I'm sure he'll save a spot for you in the seat next to him high in the sky, just don't hurry to get there Gary.

[garyedolan]

COLONEL JERRY BUSSELL (1943-2010)

Colonel (P) Jerry Bussell (Retired), Nevada's First Homeland Security Advisor
and 2010 Distinguished Nevadan recognized by UNLV, passed on October 18, 2010.
Jerry was born in Parson, Tennessee, July 31, 1943. He received his Bachelor of
Science Degree and Regular Army Commission in 1967 from the University of
Tennessee-Martin, where he played varsity football and distinguished himself as
Chief Justice of the Student Body, Commander of Cadets ROTC, Distinguished
Military Student and Distinguished Military Graduate.
His early military education included Armor Officer Basic, Airborne, Ranger
(with Tab), Jumpmaster, and Flight School. In 1968 he was assigned to the 1st
Squadron 17th Calvary Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina, where he was quickly selected as Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant
Division Commander, Brigadier General John J. Hennessey.

Jerry was promoted to Captain in 1969 and served proudly in Vietnam, where he
was a commander and O-1 Birddog pilot in the 183rd Aviation Company
(Reconnaissance), 1st Aviation Brigade, whose primary mission was to provide
direct air support to "C" Company 75th Ranger Battalion. Gary Dolan, C Company
(Ranger), 75th Infantry (Airborne), recently authored and published a book
titled "Of Their Own Accord" chronicling their accounts of what it was like to
be a Ranger in combat during Vietnam.
In the early 1970's, Jerry was assigned to Las Vegas, Nevada, (for compassionate
reasons) as the Army Advisor to the 3rd Squadron, 116th Armored Calvary
Regiment, Nevada Army National Guard. In 1972 he resigned his regular Army
Commission and joined the Nevada Army National Guard. In 1978 he was promoted to
Major after completing the Personnel and Administration Officer Advanced Course,
in residence, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.
In 1984, after completing the resident course at Command and General Staff
College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he was assigned as Executive Officer and
Commander of 1st Battalion, 221st Armor Brigade, 40th Infantry Division. He was
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1985, and for an unprecedented two consecutive
years, his unit received the Goodrich Riding Trophy, the most coveted award in
Armor. Colonel Bussell personally received the highest individual award for
Armor and Calvary Leadership, the Draper Award. These awards were given, in no
small measure, because of Jerry's vision, planning and successful execution of
the "Death March" in the summer of 1985, during which the entire tank unit
traveled from Las Vegas to the Desert Training Center at Fort Irwin, California,
and back. The Death March received publicity locally, nationally and
internationally. Specialists in Soviet Military Affairs learned that the Soviets
had analyzed the Death March and concluded that the U.S. Reserve Forces were
ready warriors and highly trained, a factor which cited as contributing to the
eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.
In 1987, Jerry graduated from the U.S. Army War College, resident course, at
Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and received a Master of Science Degree in
Public Administration from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. He then was
promoted to full Colonel in the Nevada Army National Guard, assigned first as
the Director of Plans, Operations, Training, Readiness and Security, then as
Director of Logistics, until his retirement in February, 1993.
After retirement, Jerry pursued his love of golf in an effort to ultimately earn
a spot on the Senior Professional Golf Tour. After winning the U.S. Amateur
National Golf Association's Senior Open in consecutive years, however, he was
called back to public service. On November 19, 2002, Governor Kenny Guinn
appointed Jerry as his Special Advisor for Homeland Security, a cabinet-level
position, and then as Chairman of the State of Nevada Commission on Homeland
Security, where he served the State of Nevada during the uncertain times that
followed the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Beginning in June 2004, he served as Special Consultant to Executive Director of
UNLV's Institute for Security Studies and Adjunct Instructor. That position with
UNLV led to many others, to include his final position as Executive Director of
Operations for Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)
within the UNLV Division of Education Outreach. Jerry's lifelong mission was to
improve the lives of soldiers, and in his final position, he provided
outstanding leadership and subject matter expertise to a team of researchers
engaged in the development of a blended-learning approach to improve the combat
life-saving curriculum and instructional methods used by the military in
training soldiers how to treat battlefield injuries.
Jerry was honored many, many times during his life. His military awards and
medals include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (1st OLC), Army
Commendation Medal (3d OLC), Air Medal (24th AWD, 1 with Valor), Armed Services
Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3d OLC), Vietnam
Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service
Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star,
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Humanitarian Service Medal with Bronze
Service Star, Army Achievement Medal, Ranger Tab, Parachute Badge, Army Aviator
Badge. Some of his more memorable civilian awards include: American Red Cross
Presidential Medal of Merit presented by President Ronald Reagan, Most
Outstanding Alumnus University of Tennessee-Martin 2000, and 2010 Distinguished
Nevadan from UNLV.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 28 years, Pat Lundvall.
A memorial is planned for Monday, October 25, 2010, beginning at noon, at the
Nevada Army National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility located in Stead,
Nevada, followed by a celebration of Jerry's life at the Eldorado Hotel Casino
in Reno, Nevada.
With the help of co-founders Joe Brown and Perry DiLoreto, in 2003 Jerry
established the Nevada Patriot Fund soon after the United States' engagement in
Afghanistan and Iraq. The fund was created as a source of financial assistance
for the families of Nevada servicemen killed in the line of duty. It is a
tax-exempt organization now administrated as the Nevada Military Support
Alliance Fund, http://www.nvmilitarysupport.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, and contributions in lieu of flowers
can be made to that fund.

Published in Elko Daily from October 22 to October 27, 2010