Flagler County Veteran of the Week: Christopher Jeffries

Palm Coast Observer
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Branch of Military: U.S. Navy
Dates of Service: 1968-1972
Rank / Occupation: Petty Officer 3rd Class / Aircraft Mechanic
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey

Christopher Jeffries enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968 at the age of 18 and attended boot camp at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, and advanced training for aircraft maintenance in Memphis, Tennessee. During his tour in the Navy, he served aboard two separate aircraft carriers, the USS Independence and later the USS Constellation, assigned to the Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron (RVAH-11) in 1972 when it was involved in combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam.

For his honorable service to his country Jeffries received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Upon separation he enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach using the GI Bill to obtain a license in airframe and power plant maintenance.

Jeffries relocated to Southern California and took a position with Pacific Southwest Airlines as an aircraft line mechanic, where he worked for 12 years before it got absorbed by US Air. He left US Air and was hired by DHL Worldwide Express as a station manager at Los Angeles International Airport. After 11 years at DHL, he was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration as a safety inspector, where he worked another 12 years as an aviation safety inspector. In 2017, Jeffries retired to Palm Coast. He is a Master Mason in the Freemason fraternity.

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For information about support organizations and resources available to veterans, call 386-313-4014.