ROLL, Jack Pershing

ROLL

Posted By: Stacy Jean (Roll) Page (email)
Date: 9/20/2018 at 08:59:46

Glenwood (Iowa) Opinion Tribune September 20, 1951

Jack Roll Is Air Crash Victim
A sympathetic hush seemed to fall over this commun ity Friday morning as the word went around the square that Jack Roll, smiling, carefree Captain Jack Roll had been killed in a jet plane at Kelly Field, Texas. The Air Force planes, any planes, but most recently jet planes, played a big part in Jack Roll’s life. But to lose it as he landed one of them, on his last “routine mission” just a few days before he was due home! That’s something like fate!

Captain Roll, flying on instruments, in the interior of a jet craft, died when his ship hit a cargo plane as he landed it at Kelly Field, after successfully completing the last flight of the instrument course in advanced instrument training. It was just 2 days since his 33rd birthday.

Escorted by a guard of honor from Williams Air Base, Chandler, Arizona, Capt. Roll was brought “home” for burial. The funeral service was conducted at the Christian Church, Tuesday afternoon, with Rev. J. W. Taenzler, pastor, officiating , assisted by Chaplain Tunis S. Cordill, SAC Hq, Offutt Air Force base.
William Lugsch, Jr. dang the vocal solos, accompanied by Mrs. R.O. Wimer. A group of friends served as bearers, Ellison Van Pelt, Verris Hubbell, Charles Hunt, Nelson Williams, Howard Mintle and Arno Miller.
Full military rites were accorded Capt. Roll at the Glenwood cemetery by a detachment from Offutt Air Force Base. A firing squad gave a full salute and an aerial salute came from overhead, as Taps sounded a last farewell.
The Reid Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
Jack Pershing Roll, son of Albert and Hattie Roll, was born September 11, 1918 at Centertown, Missouri. He came to Glenwood with his parents and family in August of 1921 where he grew to manhood. Early in his life, he united with the Christian Church of this city. He attended public school and graduated from high school in 1935.
On August 27, 1939, he was married to Vernelle Harriett May. To this union, two children were born, Douglas Ralph, age 6 years, and Richard Shannon, age 2 years, all of whom survive him.
Early in World War II, he enlisted in the Air Force, and reported for duty at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri on January 31, 1942.
He took his primary training at Jones Field, Borham, Texas, his basic training at Perrin Field, Sherman, Texas and advanced training at Eagle Pass, Texas, where he received his “Wings”.
He returned to Sherman as basic instructor and was sent from there to Randolph Field to train Chinese flyers for which he received “Wings” from the Chinese government.
Later, he was sent to France Field, Canal Zone, where he served as an instructor for twenty two months.
The following two years he was an instructor in jet aircraft at Williams Air Base Chandler, Arizona.
In July of this year, he was sent to Tyndall Field, Panama City, Florida for eight weeks of advanced instrument training. The course would have been finished today.