Earl Jaques

Class of 1965

State Representative

Earl Jaques began his education in the Colonial District at the former Manor Park Elementary School and was in the second class to attend George Read Junior High. He attended William Penn High School where he enjoyed various activities including: band, track and football.

After graduating in 1965, Jaques enlisted in the Delaware Air National Guard, where he served his state and country for more than 36 years. He rose through the ranks in numerous key leadership positions, culminating as the full-time Chief of Staff at the Delaware Air National Guard Headquarters. One of his additional duties was as the Delaware National Guard Legislative Liaison Officer and authored numerous pieces of legislation that were enacted into law. Jaques is most proud of the DNG Education Assistance Program, which provides 100% college tuition to in-state colleges and universities for all National Guard members. This became a benchmark for all National Guard units across the country. In 2003, Jaques retired at the rank of Colonel and received the highest non-combat award – Department of Defense Legion of Merit, as well as the State of Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross with Gold Star. In May 2011, he received the honorary promotion to Brigadier General, thereby becoming only the second General of the Delaware Militia to be a sitting member of the Delaware House of Representatives.