There are some odd markings on a plane at New Jersey’s Air National Guard. The fighter squadron in Atlantic City is honoring the Jersey...Jerk?

“Jersey Jerk” is the nickname of World War II ace Gen. Donald Strait. He had 13 ½ kills during the war in Europe and spent 28 years in the Air Force.

Strait was born in East Orange and grew up in Verona. He got the nickname from a crew chief, who essentially said that anyone going to war, doing what they do has got to be a jerk and the name stuck.

Strait died 10 years ago at the age of 96.