Gerald “Jerry” Sylva, 104, of Pierre, SD passed away August 17, 2021 at Avera Maryhouse, Pierre. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 20th at 10:00am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ft. Pierre with a viewing one hour prior to the services. The burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis , SD at 3:00pm(mst).

Jerry’s funeral can be viewed here:

Gerald “Jerry” Sylva was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD on May 11, 1917 to Ben and Lela (Hinz) Sylva and grew up in Fort Pierre. He attended school in Fort Pierre then worked as a cowboy at the Buffalo Ranch until he enlisted in the Navy on September 18, 1941. Upon completion he received orders to USS Brazos, a fleet oiler bound for the Pacific, during WWII. Later, as an airman at the Kodiak, Alaska Naval Station, he received orders for flight school where he earned his Wings. Jerry earned a pair of Mexican Wings in December of 1946, when he flew at an air show in Mexico that honored the Mexican Air Force however as a pilot for the Navy, Jerry flew missions during WWII, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War and again during the Cold War he flew missions over Russia. His Navy career included playing football while he served at Athens, Georgia but said that he “was not big enough for the game” (despite his 6’1” height) so he quit playing in 1943.
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Jerry was transferred to the Aviation Supply office in Philadelphia in February of 1949 and it was during this time that Jerry met his bride of 71 years, Marie Dufour, who was also working in the Aviation Supply office. His division was having a party for the workers, officers and supervisors and Marie’s girlfriend lined Marie up with Jerry who was an excellent dancer and a gentleman. Jerry and Marie married the following year on March 11, 1950 in Houtzdale, PA.

In 1952 the Navy, Air Force and Atomic Commission collaborated and initiated Operation IVY, which conducted Atomic Tests. Gerald was selected for Operation Ivy as a test pilot, however due to the danger of the Operation; he needed to volunteer to actually gain the assignment. As a pilot for Operation IVY, he provided airborne tests of full size hydrogen bombs. Having been exposed to the atomic bomb Jerry took retirement from the Navy on April 1, 1965 as a Navy Commander.

When he and Marie returned to Fort Pierre, South Dakota he served as a County Commissioner for Stanley County, and later Chairman of the SD Fifth District Planning Committee and actively served on the Governor’s Board. Jerry ranched and enjoyed roping in rodeos, along the way. He was known to comment that he “rode broncos before WWII and made the decision to go into the Navy to avoid being bucked off anymore”!

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marie, his special friends Barry and Diane Smith and nephews and nieces.

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