NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Growing up, Jerald Humphrey’s son, Jerry, had a fascination with flight. So when now-Lt. Cmdr. Humphrey graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003 and was commissioned a pilot, the senior Humphrey wasn’t surprised.

“Yes, it seemed to be his destiny,” said Humphrey, who works as a logistician in the Marine Aviation Logistics-Enterprise Information Technology (MAL-EIT) program office here. His son was born in Pensacola, Florida, which is home to the Blue Angels, loved air shows and always seemed to have a Blue Angels birthday cake. The family knew the younger Humphrey would one day take to the skies.

And he did. Lt. Cmdr. Humphrey is with the Strike Fighter Squadron 211, the "Fighting Checkmates," stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

During a gathering of all the squadrons aboard U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on June 15 while underway, Lt. Cmdr. Humphrey was named the “Top Hook” pilot for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1.

The “Fighting Checkmates” received the overall Top Hook Squadron Award for the highest average grades among squadron pilots for the line period, or about one third of a deployment.

As he told the “Jet Observer,” a publication for Naval Air Station Oceana: “Landing on an aircraft carrier isn’t an easy feat,” said Lt. Cmdr. Humphrey, who was on a 10-month deployment when he received the award. “The Checkmates executed this challenge safely, professionally and with great precision after flying six and one-half hour combat missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.”

“My heart was bursting in extreme pride for my son and for his prestigious accomplishment,” Humphrey said. “From a childhood dream to reality!  His mom, LeAnn, and sisters, Carissa and Jasmine, share the same feelings.”

Retired after 23 years of service in the Navy, the senior Humphrey is also very active in the community, coaching the junior varsity football team at Leonardtown High School for the past four years and the Great Mills JV team for eight years, coaching 7^th and 8^th grade boys basketball with the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks program, volunteering with Hospice of St. Mary’s Annual Run and St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services Foster Care, and being a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Providing mentoring and guidance to the younger generation is important to Humphrey. He believes in instilling the “four “Ds” -- determination, desire, dedication and discipline -- in the minds of the maturing high schoolers. He teaches them to “set goals and realize that you will hit detours and failures in life, but don't take the easy road, and continue to work for your goals. Learn from those lessons life will throw at you and come out stronger.”

“You become a mentor, role model and, at times, a father figure,” said Humphrey of coaching his team.

With a good foundation, who knows what future accolades will accrue for Humphrey’s young charges.