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298 || 23 A Man’s Man M EMORABLE traits of the character of Jerry Daniels, including dedication, intelligence, and humor; why he never married; “drinkin’ and drivin’”; Sunday circles; Clark Canyon Dam 1978; thoughts about his sexual preference; commitment and risk; coming to a crossroads. JACK TUPPER DANIELS, brother of Jerry Daniels Was there anything unusual about Jerry? Yes, there were some things about him that you would notice. For one thing he was left-handed. But more importantly, I’d say he was very, very trustworthy. If he said he’d do something, he’d do it. And Jerry was dedicated to whatever he was doing. Dedication. Whether it was working or hunting or fishing or playing. I think he was absolutely dedicated to the U.S. Right or wrong, he used to get upset that we were going to leave Vietnam and Southeast Asia. He thought we needed to stay and clean the commies out. Excerpt from a letter to RANDOLPH “TOBY” SCOTT, former smokejumper; former Continental Air Services (CASI) loadmaster, Laos, from Jerry Daniels, January 20, 1979 With Carter in and all of the U.S. turning in their nuts for mustard seeds they don’t need any real men here. I still wished we had napalmed those students at Kent State “U”, H bombed Hanoi, and that Nixon was digging up divots on the white house lawn with his wheelbarrow that carries his nuts. KENT “DAN THE ANIMAL MAN” DANIELS, brother of Jerry Daniels Dogged. Tough. “Fearless” is another word I’ve heard used. And very knowledgeable about what he did. I don’t know that you’d say he was overly book-smart, but when he worked like he did, he could put things together. A Man’s Man || 299 KEN HESSEL, former smokejumper; former Continental Air Services (CASI) Air Operations, MR3, Laos You know, Jerry had an I.Q. of probably 160. I’m not kiddin’ you! When he went up there to Long Cheng, he could probably speak the Hmong language in two weeks. He’d just pick it up. And he could probably read and write it if he was there six weeks. He was sharp. “LUCKY” LUE YANG, former field liaison officer (FLO), MR2, Laos; Hmong funeral organizer Jerry was a hard worker. And friendly. He could adjust himself into the high class and the low class. He could go to the top and talk to the Big Boss and he could play with kids. A very intelligent man, a real smart guy. Very smart. JON FOLAND, Missoula crony; former smokejumper He was probably one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met in my whole life. That’s what really impressed me. He wasn’t some hick that fell off the turnip truck. This guy was really sharp, incredibly intelligent. I can’t imagine anybody who didn’t admire Jerry, whether they knew him very well or not. A lot of the women were quite offended, oft times by his jargon, but they were still pretty mesmerized by him. Mrs. DAWN OEHLERICH, wife of Mike Oehlerich Jerry was so handsome when he was in his late 20s and 30s. It wasn’t just women that were drawn to him. He was so charismatic and handsome on top of it that if you were even across the street he was somebody that would immediately draw your eye. MIKE OEHLERICH, former smokejumper; former Air America loadmaster, Laos Daniels had this magnetic personality that just drew people to him. He could say things to people and address, confront your innermost fear, your secret thoughts or anxieties. He’d just blurt ’em out, spit ’em out in your face, stomp on ’em, and laugh about it. If you hid your dirty laundry in the back recesses of your closet, he’d drag it out and hang it out in the sunshine for everybody to look at and hold you up to some kind of ridicule that turned out to be funny. Pretty soon you’d be laughing about things that you thought were totally important. All of a sudden those fears and anxieties just didn’t have any power. He was just an exceptional person. He had some kind of talent about reading people, a special insight into what made them tick. There was just something that he connected with in everybody. And I don’t give a shit if you were the best pilot in the [18.116.63.236] Project MUSE...

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