Jerry M. Sage | |
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Born | 27 May 1917 British Columbia, Canada |
Died | 26 March 1993 (aged 75) Dothan, Alabama, US |
Buried | Meadowlawn Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | |
Rank | Colonel |
Commands |
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Battles/wars | |
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Alma mater | State College of Washington, Phi Beta Kappa |
Other work |
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Jerome Michael Sage, who mostly went by the name Jerry M. Sage, was a Canadian-born American soldier, special forces operator, and spy, prisoner of war during World War II. He was notable for over 15 prison escape attempts leading to 15 sentences in solitary confinement, earning him the name "Cooler King," until his final successful escape. Sage was the inspiration for Steve McQueen's character in The Great Escape.[1] Sage stayed in the Army and also fought in the Korean War and Vietnam War. [2] He is considered one of the fathers of United States Army Special Forces. [3] One of the phases of the schoolhouse for special operators at Fort Liberty, the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, is named Robin Sage, partially in his memory. [4]