Roy Terry graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor of science degree in 1937 and from Yale University Divinity School with a bachelor of divinity degree in 1942, and then entered military service. After serving as a Chaplain in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. From 1970 to 1974 he served as the 5th Air Force Chief of Chaplains, and retired in 1974 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.



