Jere Francis Palmes, KHS Class of 1939, was born in Pensacola, Florida on August 5, 1919 to Russell Palmes and Golda Palmes. Russell Palmes, a respected accounting clerk, moved his family from New Mexico to St. Augustine after getting a job with the Florida East Coast Railroad. The family lived at 20 John Street near what is now the Gaines Alternative School. Mr. Palmes was the second of six children including brothers, Russell and Walter, and sisters, Ellen, Betty, and Mary.

Mr. Palmes was involved with the 4-H Club with an interest in farm animals and livestock lines. While at KHS, Mr. Palmes completed a four year course with the Citizens Military Training Camp in order to earn a certificate that would aid him in a recommendation for the Officers Reserve Corps. His goals were to attend the University of Florida to study animal husbandry. He found employment as a farm hand but as WWII spread, Mr. Palmes enlisted in the Florida National Guard which eventually lead to becoming an officer in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Palmes was assigned as a company officer in the 222nd Infantry Regiment of the famous 42nd “Rainbow” Division which was deployed for France in late 1944. His regiment was instrumental in defeating three German divisions in Operation Nordwind, January 1945, earning the Presidential Unit Citation for their unit’s extraordinary courage and tenacious fighting spirit. Subsequent battles continued into northern France and Germany. Lead by the planning of Captain Palmes, his battalion was able to establish a successful assault and subsequent crossing of the Danube River. Disregarding his own safety, Captain Palmes leaped upon the lead tank of the attacking forces and led his troops in an encirclement of the enemy emplacements where he was killed by mortar fire at age 26. Through his outstanding courage, aggressive leadership, and professional skill, Captain Palmes was awarded the Silver Star Medal by the President of the United States for his gallantry on the battlefield on April 25, 1945. Captain Palmes’ other honors include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star & Combat Infantry Badge. Captain Palmes was married to his hometown sweetheart Mary Rebecca Boles and had one daughter Rebecca.