Levi Teldon News Today

Gerald Teldon (aka “Mr. Lucky,”) from Long Island, N.Y., joined the service in April 1944. He initially applied for the Navy Air Force, but it was over its “Jewish” quota, so he was denied a spot.

Gerald Teldon fought with the 85th and 87th fighter squadrons, both part of the 79th Fighter Group, over Italy and the Balkans in 1944 and 1945.

Gerald Teldon, a veteran of the Allied air war over Italy and the Balkans during World War II, was decorated for his service at a ceremony at the San Antonio Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning just hours before his great-grandson's bar mitzvah.

Gerald Teldon can’t remember many of the 62 missions he flew in WW II, but his first day of combat, Dec. 11, 1944, is burned into his consciousness in the split second he took a life.

The co-founder of Young and Jewish in San Antonio explains why faith is important at every age and says that Hanukkah's message of light is for all.