Sara Stadem | Editor 

Jerry Corey, Humboldt resident, was a farm kid from small town Howard, SD when he decided at the age of 17 to join the military. “I didn’t know it would change my life and be such a big part of my life,” Corey said. 

After Corey graduated high school in 1962, he enlisted with the United States Navy. 

When asked why he decided to join the Navy, Corey said, “The draft was going on so I knew eventually I would have to go into the military.” He continued, “I wasn’t ready to go to college at the time. I had no desire to go to college; I didn’t really know what I wanted to do so this was the best move for me, to go into the military.” 

Corey said while in high school, he would get fliers from different branches and he would take them to his room, look at them and envision what he would look like in each of the uniforms. Corey also had brothers-in-law that were in the Navy at the time and after discussing options with them, it was decided the Navy would probably be Corey’s best fit. He also had a cousin that ended up joining as well. 

Corey said he had four years of active duty in the Navy, part of that time being spent in the Vietnam War. Corey said he had a lot of mixed emotions on the Vietnam War. “I was very fortunate that I was not in any combat situation. I didn’t have to kill anyone. But when you are in a situation that you have to, you just don’t have a choice,” Corey said. “I think that is one thing that I really, really feel good about, that I didn’t have to do that. I didn’t come back with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).” Corey continued to explain what he did remember from the war was the politicians and press really lost the war. “We didn’t win anything. We came home with our tail between our legs and just came home,” Corey said. “Looking back on it, I think we could have been out of there in six months if the politicians would have let the generals run it the way they should have or wanted to. Hindsight is 20/20 when you look back on it.”
The Vietnam War was not a popular time or a good time for the military, according to Corey. He said, “When I came home from Vietnam, it was no big deal. We just got off the plane, came home and looked for a job,” Corey said. “No one would come up to you and say, ‘Wow, you were overseas in Vietnam’ or anything.” 

Corey thinks part of that is due to what everyone saw with the Vietnam War. “The press got involved and brought that home to everyone. Everyone watched it in their living room while having supper and what not.” Corey remembers. “People would see what was going on and the press would bring up when civilians and children were killed. It is unfortunate that it happened but the press made it worse and had to live with seeing those causalities of war.” 

Once home from Vietnam, Corey had a few civilian jobs in Madison. However, he later decided to take advantage of the G.I. bill and went to college. In 1972, Corey graduated from Dakota State University in Madison with a teaching degree in political science. “It’s weird to believe that I graduated high school in 1962 and ten years later, graduated college. I was the farm kid that figured he wouldn’t even graduate high school and just keep farming.” 

At that time, Corey said it was hard to find a teaching job so when there was an opening as a Navy Recruiter in Sioux Falls, he took it. “I decided that being a recruiter might be a good way into schools, going out and meeting teachers, administration and students and trying to get a teaching job that way,” Corey said. “What I didn’t realize is that I would remain a recruiter for the next 16 years in Sioux Falls.” 

Being a Navy Recruiter was “probably one of the most rewarding jobs one could have,” Corey said. He recalled several stories of young men and women that he would help enlist. Corey said sometimes the individuals would come to his office having quite a bit of knowledge of the Navy and what they had to offer and others would come in not knowing anything and just want whatever job you gave them. 

Corey remembers going into schools and having to be a good salesman in order to find the right recruits. “I would have to go to schools for career days, you always had to compete with other colleges and other services. There are always good opportunities with other places as well but you had to sell yourself to show what we had to offer them.” 

Corey would take the time to interview each potential recruit to find out what they were interested in and what direction they could go if they joined the Navy. 

Getting to know the potential recruits and their families held a big place in Corey’s heart he said. “You get to know these young men and women and you get to know their parents. I would write letters to them during basic training and encourage them that they could get through it,” Corey said. “I would go out to their houses while they were gone and have their parents write them letters. I was honest with parents as the kids as to what would take place because when they came home, I’m still here and they needed to know I told the truth.” 

Corey said it was always interesting when speaking with families of a potential recruit. If the recruit was under the age of 18, parents needed to sign to give consent. Corey said if it was a son that wanted to join the Navy, Dad would be for it and ready to go where Mom wouldn’t want her son to leave. If it was a daughter that wanted to join, it was opposite, Corey recalled. “Dad would say no way, he wasn’t letting his baby go and Mom would think it was a great opportunity for her daughter.” 

“There was a 17-year old young man that wanted to join. Mom said he should be going to college instead and I told her, ‘I have a BS degree in business and that’s about all it has amounted to so far for me.’ Mom got the point and let him join,” Corey laughed. 

There are so many stories he could tell, Corey said, some good and some bad, he could talk for days. “It’s like any job. There are good days and there are bad days. There are good stories and there are bad stories and there are some stories that have to go to my grave.” 

Corey did explain that he is glad to see that the feelings on the military and war are not what they use to be when he first enlisted. “People realize now there is a need for people to step up, be willing to leave their families and their little ones, miss their Christmas and birthdays and what not in order to be there for others,” Corey said. “Service members are given more pride and acknowledgement of their sacrifices and that makes me happy. Not everyone will step up. Many won’t even consider it,” continued Corey. 

Corey retired from the Unites States Navy as a Chief Petty Officer after 26 years. Corey enjoys his retirement with his wife of seven years, Joyce. He has two daughters, Amy and Stacy, and Joyce has two sons. Corey also gets to enjoy time with eight grandkids and two great-grandkids. 

Corey explained his oldest daughter, Amy, ended up in the Navy as well. She also retired from the Navy as a Chief. Corey said, “They have a pinning ceremony when you make it to a certain level so I got to do the pinning for my daughter when she became a Chief. Proud moment for Dad.” 

When talking about his family, Corey said, “One daughter took after me with the Navy and one daughter took after me with her love for horses. A dad can’t be anything but happy about this.” 

When asked what advice he has for future recruits, Corey said, “I would say it would be a great opportunity and take advantage of every opportunity that is offered. There is no limit to how far you can go with your desire and talents in the Navy. You have the opportunity to go to so many places, travel to places you would never see or go to otherwise. And you get to help your country.” 

Corey said being a Veteran gave him direction in life and he got a chance to find out what other people’s lives are like. “I got to meet people from all over the United States, I learned how to get along with other people. I have a pride that I served my country for 26 years, I will always have that. It was a big chunk of my life.”