SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON

Major General Eldon Joersz, 1966, World's Fastest Pilot

Major General Eldon "Al" Joersz was raised in Hazen, North Dakota, and graduated from North Dakota State in 1966 with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Mathematics.  After NDSU, Al continued his education, graduating from Squadron Officer School in 1971, earning his MBA from Auburn University in 1978, graduating from Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in 1978, and graduating from the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair in 1984.  Al's professional life focused on aviation.  In uniform, his accomplishments include reaching the rank of Major General, flying over 4,500 hours in various aircraft, flying 158 combat missions over North Vietnam and Laos,, earning numerous medals including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, and setting the world air speed record at 2,193 miles per hour in the SR-71-a record that has stood for four decades.  

 

Out of uniform, Al worked at Lockheed Martin, directing the Advanced Development Programs Division in the Areas of Strategy and business Development.  More recently, Al has been spending his time volunteering for charitable organizations including Feed My Sheep, which assists the homeless and disadvantaged.  Al and his wife Carol reside in Teas, and have three children - Jeremy, Jessica and Jonathan.  For true excellence in his career, Eldon Joersz is most deserving of induction into the North Dakota Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon's Hall of Fame.