World War II hero, Medal of Honor recipient Art Jackson dies in Boise at age 92

Idaho Stateman ^ | 6/15/2017 | John Sowell

[Borges]

Art Jackson, who singlehandedly destroyed a dozen enemy pillboxes and killed 50 Japanese soldiers during a fierce battle on the Pacific island of Peleliu, died Wednesday at the Boise VA Medical Center.

Nine Marines, including Jackson, were presented the Medal of Honor for their roles in the battle.

Fighting for control of the island lasted for two months, beginning in September 1944. The Japanese, entrenched in caves, killed 1,800 American soldiers and injured 8,000 more.

[Gay State Conservative]

"Uncommon valor was a common virtue".

Admiral Chester Nimitz,assessing the performance of the Marines during the Battle of Iwo Jima

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

RIP MARINE.Long life.

[Rebelbase]

MOH Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau Group, September 18, 1944. Boldly taking the initiative when his platoon’s left flank advance was held up by the fire of Japanese troops concealed in strongly fortified positions, Private First Class Jackson unhesitatingly proceeded forward of our lines and, courageously defying the heavy barrages, charged a large pillbox housing approximately thirty-five enemy soldiers. Pouring his automatic fire into the opening of the fixed installation to trap the occupying troops, he hurled white phosphorus grenades and explosive charges brought up by a fellow Marine, demolishing the pillbox and killing all of the enemy. Advancing alone under the continuous fire from other hostile emplacements, he employed a similar means to smash two smaller positions in the immediate vicinity. Determined to crush the entire pocket of resistance although harassed on all sides by the shattering blasts of Japanese weapons and covered only by small rifle parties, he stormed one gun position after another, dealing death and destruction to the savagely fighting enemy in his inexorable drive against the remaining defenses and succeeded in wiping out a total of twelve pillboxes and fifty Japanese soldiers. Stouthearted and indomitable despite the terrific odds, Private First Class Jackson resolutely maintained control of the platoon’s left flank movement throughout his valiant one-man assault and, by his cool decision and relentless fighting spirit during a critical situation, contributed essentially to the complete annihilation of the enemy in the southern sector of the island. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct in the face of extreme peril reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Jackson and the United States Naval Service.[5]

[Jet Jaguar]

Badass!

[Rebelbase]

Yeah, nads of tungsten.

[abb]

A Man.

[jmaroneps37]

Semper Fi brother Marine rest in peace.

[LibWhacker]

Arthur Jackson, MOH, WWII, talks about his incredibly heroic feat

[LibWhacker]

Arthur Jackson, MOH, WWII, talks about that day

[hanamizu]

May I recommend “With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa”
a book by Eugene Sledge who was there.

[Gritty]

That is a great film clip of a great hero!

[stagline]

Another story of his bravery and how Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, forced him to leave the Marines.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/living/liv-c...e156375714.html

May 26, 2013 1:38 PM

In the early 1960s, Idaho Medal of Honor recipient nearly escalated the Cold War

The night of Sept. 30, 1961, was, literally and figuratively, one of the darkest of Art Jackson’s life.

The 36-year-old Marine captain’s job that gloomy night was to escort a man suspected of being a Cuban spy off the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. But a momentary delay — the lock on a gate wouldn’t open — began a series of events that haunts the Boisean to this day.

[mason-dixon]

We have our freedom today because of Marines like Arthur Jackson

[katana]

The book that formed the basis for part of the plot of The Pacific. Maybe the best narrative of South Pacific combat from the perspective of the men who fought it. One of the tragedies of Peleliu was that it was an island that as it turned out did not need to be taken. Which is probably why, despite it being as tough a fight as any, the name isn't remembered like Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa.

[jch10]

Thank you, Marine!

[Nailbiter]

ping

[hanamizu]

Sledge was a professor at a college in Alabama. I wonder how he’d have dealt with today’s snowflakes.

[RJS1950]

There are a half-dozen additional first hand account books written by R Burgin, Chuck Tatum and others who were there with Sledge. Read them all and you get a complete view of the horror of the Peleliu campaign and the heroic actions of the 1st, 3rd, and 7th Marine Regiments.

[Squantos]

Wow....