By Donna Fullerton
On July 29, longtime San Miguel de Allende resident Gerry Teldon was recognized for the heroism of his military service during World War II and the Korean War. Lt. Teldon, age 97, received the honor almost 80 years after his service. At a ceremony presented by the Army Air Corps in San Antonio, Texas, and surrounded by three generations of his family, Teldon was decorated with six medals: the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal, along with the Distinguished Unit Citation for actions over Italy in April 1945.
After joining the Army Air Corps at age 18, Teldon flew P-47 Thunderbolts in World War II over Italy and the Balkans with Twelfth Air Force’s 79th Fighter Group, 85th and 87th Fighter Squadrons, and was honorably discharged in 1946, without fanfare or recognition. Five years later, he was called back to flying during the Korean War.
“I call myself ‘Mr. Lucky.’ To live through 62 missions and live to be 97, you got to have a lot of luck for that,” said Teldon.
He continues to serve his community as a supporter of Feed the Hungry San Miguel. For many years he was a volunteer driver, making weekly deliveries of food to Feed the Hungry’s school kitchens in the campo. Last year he participated in the organization’s Walk-Run-Bike for Food event, raising funds as a 3k walk challenger.
Teldon will once again be participating in this year’s Feed the Hungry Walk-Run-Bike for Food challenge sponsored by INMTEC. As he turns 98 years old soon, he has commited to walking 98 km between now and October 16. He will walk the last 3k at the event at Viñedo Dos Buhos on October 16. You are invited to join him in this challenge and cheer him on! Visit and register today at feedthehungrysma.org/events.
