Jerry Driscoll was born February 21, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois. He entered the U.S. Air Force Academy on June 26, 1959, and graduated with a commission as a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force on June 5, 1963. Lt Driscoll next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Craig AFB, Alabama, in October 1964, followed by F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training from November 1964 to June 1965. His first assignment was as an F-105 pilot with the 560th Tactical Fighter Squadron at McConnell AFB, Kansas, from July to November 1965, followed by service as an F-105 pilot with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from November 1965 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 24, 1966. After spending 2,487 days in captivity, Capt Driscoll was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and then completed F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training in June 1974. Maj Driscoll next served as an F-4 instructor pilot with the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Homestead AFB, Florida, from June 1974 to December 1976, followed by Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from December 1976 to June 1978. He served with the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center at Norton AFB, California, from June 1978 to June 1981, and during this time he served as F-105/A-10 Project Officer, and then as Chief of the Fighter/Trainer Branch in the Flight Safety Division. Col Driscoll next served as Assistant Operations Officer for the 50th Flying Training Squadron of the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, from August 1981 to October 1982, followed by service as Commander of the 3614th Combat Crew Training Squadron of the 3636th Combat Crew Training Wing at Fairchild AFB, Washington, from October 1982 to June 1984. His final assignment was as Commander of the Air Force ROTC detachment at the University of California-Berkeley, from July 1984 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 1, 1987. After retiring from the Air Force Jerry flew for American Airlines from August 1987 to February 2000, retiring as a Boeing 727 Captain. Jerry Driscoll Flew West on February 20, 2016, one day short of his 76th birthday, and was buried at Holy Name Cemetery in Medina, Minnesota.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

On 15 June 1966: This officer distinguished himself by gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. This American resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.