Today In U.S. Military History - 20 February 1945

This Day in U.S. Military History ^

[ConorMacNessa]

Pfc. Jacklyn Harold Lucas, USMCR (MOH)

From This Day in U.S. Military History:

20 February 1945 – Iwo Jima, Japan

Citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands 20 February 1945.

While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain front line on D-plus+1 Day, Private First Class Lucas and three other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by two grenades which landed directly in front of them, Private First Class Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon one grenade and pulled the other one under him, absorbing the whole blasting force of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death, but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Lucas and the United States Naval Service."

[ConorMacNessa]

"Among the Americans serving on Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[PROCON]

Wow, he covered the grenades with his body and lived?

That's an incredible story.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Army Bro! Not only did he fall on one grenade and pull another one under his body - he did it three days after his 17th birthday. He was born 17 February 1928.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[real saxophonist]

Semper Fi bump

[left that other site]

Wow. Thank you for posting this.

Semper Fi.

[jmacusa]

“Here’s health to you and to our Corp/ Which we are proud to serve/ In many a strife we’ve fought for life/And we never lost our nerve/ If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven’s scenes/ They will find the streets are guarded/by United States Marines’’.

[left that other site]

Amen.

[ConorMacNessa]

Of all of the stories of the deeds of our Fathers of the Greatest Generation, this one resonates particularly deeply with me. He lied about his age - joined the Corps at 16 - he made it all the way through boots, infantry training and deployment before his 17th birthday, and then performed this sterling act of Valor at an age when most kids are preoccupied with next Friday night's date or some similar triviality!

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[left that other site]

Indeed.

My Dad was 17 when he enlisted.

Those were definitely different times.

[ConorMacNessa]

Mine as well - but he did not go to boots until a few days after this 18th birthday. Came back from boots and walked in uniform in his HS commencement - along with a lot of his classmates.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[left that other site]

That must have been a sight to behold!

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

On Feb. 12th we buried my father-in-law, Lt. Col. James Lucore, US Army retired (75th JASCO), who was in the only Army unit to officially participate in the landings at IWO.

The Joint Assault Signal Company, Signal Corps, was attached, from what I can see, to the 7th Marine or 3rd Marine Division for Iwo, after having served at Tinian, Saipan, Eniwetok, Kwajalein, and possibly later on Okinawa.

Jim was wounded three times, once at Iwo. We haven’t found his complete service record yet but he enlisted in the 1930’s in the old Cavalry (real horses), and was buried with full military honors at Arlington Cemetery in a beautiful light snow. Horse drawn caisson, Old Guard honor unit/colors, band, and rifle squad.

When I asked him once where was he when Pearl Harbor was attacked, he said “Schofield Barracks”.

Later he was one of the leaders of our Cold War military counterintelligence operations against the Soviet Union (most still classified but the few we know of through books were very successful).

He died on his 95th birthday. His burial flag was presented to my son Joshua, a combat veteran of OIF, 299th Army Reserve (activated) MRB, (3rd ID), a famous engineering unit that goes back to the crossing of the Rhine in WW2.

Among his fellow soldiers in nearby plots are Gen. Arthur McArthur (Douglas McArthur’s father) and Gen. Claire Chennault (US Air Force, CBI). Gonna be quite a poker game going on there at night.

A salute to all the Marines of Iwo. Semper Fi!
From the Army, “Hoorah”
From this old VN journalist, pure admiration.

[ConorMacNessa]

MadMax, your father-in-law may well have known my uncle, Maj. John T. Dowd, USA, who also got his start as a horse soldier and served with the Old Guard back in the 30's. He went to jump school and served with the 82nd in WWII and the 101st in Korea. Before he finished his career in 1960, he had boots on the ground in 'Nam.

He rests in honored peace with my sainted Aunt Virginia in ANC, as do my parents and my cousin RADM Jack Jarabak.

Your father-in-law rests in distinguished company - not just the great Generals you cited, or my family members, but countless others who answered our Nation's call.

God Bless them, God Bless them all, God Bless them good!

And Go Army!

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT