After attending Dartmouth and Denver University, Jerry Cox Vasconcells became a lawyer in 1916. Enlisting in 1917, he joined 27th Aero Squadron under Harold Hartney after completion of training in Canada and Texas. In November 1918, he assumed command of 185th Aero Squadron. In latter years he served as chairman of the Colorado aeronautics commission and was a prominent bond broker in Denver. Vasconcells was the uncle of screen star Mary Astor and was ill for seven months before he died at his home in Denver in 1950.
Trenton Evening Times, Trenton, New Jersey, Friday, 17 September 1937, page 11
French Croix de Guerre
A fine pilot. Has always shown the finest military virtues. Went alone with photographic reconnaissance planes, the other protecting planes having been compelled to return. On 16 July 1918, in the course of two sorties, was attacked by an enemy superior in numbers and succeeded, by clever maneuvering, in putting them to flight. Attacked a balloon and forced it down.
