Jacklyn H. Lucas- 17 Year Old Medal Of Honor Recipient From The Battle Of Iwo Jima

Image courtesy of the US Marines

Jacklyn H. Lucas is the youngest Medal Of Honor recipient since the Civil War. At the stubborn age of 14 his mature build of 5 foot 8 inches tall and 180 pounds allowed him to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve. Determined to fight Japanese, Jacklyn eventually went AWOL stowing away on the USS Deuel to pursue his goal of making it to the Pacific front. Five days after his 17th birthday, Jacklyn landed on Iwo Jima.

It was D-Day plus one, when Jacklyn just barely 17 years old preformed the self sacrificing act, which resulted in the Medal Of Honor.

Jacklyn's citation reads:

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. Harry S. Truman

The island of Iwo Jima is made from volcanic rock and sand. Jacklyn's quick thinking to bury one grenade in the sand with his rife as he laid his body over the second saved his life, and the lives of his Brothers. The volcanic ash absorbed much of the blast of the first grenade, while the second grenade was a dud. Jacklyn had extensive damage to his body, resulting in his eventual discharge from the Marines.

When discharged Jacklyn was the recipient of the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

After recovering from his wounds, Jacklyn enrolled in high school, graduated, and proceed in his education until he graduated from college. After college he joined the Army, becoming a Paratrooper to conquer his fear of heights. Jacklyn even survived a jump where both of his parachutes failed to open.

It is clear Jackyn Lucas was made from a special breed of man. The kind of man who went after what he wanted with the tenacity of a Bull Shark, never letting little things like age, logistics, or fear stand in his way. At the adventure filled age of 80, Jacklyn died of leukemia surrounded by his friends and family, something not every Hero gets to experience.

John "Doc" Bradley

John Bradley in front a war bond picture depicting the Flag Raising.
Image curtsey of US Marine Corps

John "Doc" Bradley was a Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class in the US Navy during World War II. Doc Bradley was one of six men in the iconographic picture of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima. Doc's constant assertion that the true Hero's of Iwo Jima were the men who never came home, fit my description of a Hero.

Because of Doc Bradley many lives were saved. He received the Navy Cross with the following citation for his actions on Iwo Jima:

"For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima on Feb. 21, 1945 as a hospital corpsman attached to a Marine Rifle platoon. During a furious assault by his company upon a strongly defended enemy zone at the base of Mt. Suribachi, Bradley observed a Marine infantryman fall wounded in an open area under a pounding barrage by mortars, interlaced with a merciless crossfire from Machine guns.

With complete disregard for his own safety, he ran through the intense fire to the side of the fallen Marine, examined his wounds and ascertained that an immediate administration of plasma was necessary to save the man's life. Unwilling to subject any of his comrades to the danger to which he had so valiantly exposed himself, he signaled would-be assistants to remain where they were. Placing himself in a position to shield the wounded man, he tied a plasma unit to a rifle planted upright in the sand and continued his life saving mission.

The Marine's wounds bandaged and the condition of shock relieved by plasma, Bradley pulled the man thirty yards through intense enemy fire to a position of safety. His indomitable spirit, dauntless initiative, and heroic devotion to duty were an inspiration to those with who he served and were in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service."

At the time of Doc's discharge from the Navy he had the following decorations:

• Navy Cross
• Purple Heart
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Presidential Unit Citation
• America Campaign Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal 

Doc was an amazing man and I highly recommend you read his son's book Flags Of Our Fathers by James Bradley. It was a very well written book which covered the lives and actions of all six Flag Raisers, as well as other Marines and the scarifies they made on Iwo Jima. 

I know Doc would have given anything to save more lives, especially that of his best friend Iggy. He is a man who's ethics, humility, and compassion should be aspired to for all future generations. 

Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph of the second Flag Raising on Iwo Jima.

If you would like a quick history on the cost and strategy of taking Iwo Jima the Marine Gazette has this excellent piece. http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/leatherneck-iwo-jima-hell-fire-out

Medal Of Honor Recipient SSG "Sal" Salvatore Giunta

Today the Medal Of Honor was bestowed upon SSG "Sal" Salvatore Giunta who is the first living recipient of the MOH since the Vietnam War.

Here is video of SSG Giunta receiving the medal.



A humble thank you to SSG Giunta, his unit, his family, and the family of the fallen for making so many sacrifices for our Freedom.

First Lt. Vernon J. Baker- A True Hero

First Lieutenant Vernon J. Baker  the last surviving Black Medal of Honor recipient died in his home near St. Maries Idaho.  He was 90 years old.
In 1945, First Lt. Baker was the only Black Officer in his company in charge of a weapons platoon. On April 5, 1945 his squad was ordered to assault Castle Aghinoifi, a German stronghold. The Washington Post has a detailed account of his actions:

Two hours after starting their mission on April 5, Lt. Baker and his men came within 300 yards of the castle. While attempting to find a suitable place for a machine gun, Lt. Baker observed two rifle barrels hanging out of a concealed slit in some rocky earth.

After stealthily crawling to the opening, he popped up and emptied the clip of his M-1 rifle into the observation post, killing two sentries.

While searching for more camouflaged emplacements, Lt. Baker spotted a machine-gun nest occupied by two soldiers distracted by their breakfast. He shot and killed them both.A German soldier then hurled a grenade that landed at Lt. Baker's feet. Undeterred, he fired two fatal rounds at the fleeing German, while the grenade by Lt. Baker's boots failed to explode.

He found the door to another bunker and blasted it open with a grenade. A wounded German soldier stumbled out in confusion, and Lt. Baker shot him. After tossing in a second grenade, he raided the bunker with a submachine gun blazing, killing two more Germans.On the way back to his men, Lt. Baker saw that his platoon's position had come under heavy machine gun and mortar fire. He watched in despair as 19 of his men were cut down by bullets or wounded by shrapnel.

Even though he'd been shot in the hand, Lt. Baker led the evacuation of his remaining men, helping to eliminate two machine-gun nests and four more German troops.

In the midst of the retreat, Lt. Baker's platoon came across German soldiers wearing helmets painted with red crosses carrying litters covered with blankets.

His shellshocked men urged him to let them fire, but Lt. Baker refused. When the platoon came within 50 yards of the supposed medics, the Germans dropped their stretchers and picked up machine guns.

"Hit the bastards!" Lt. Baker instructed his men, according to his 1997 memoir "Lasting Valor." "Our riflemen cut loose with a vengeance. . . . The enemy platoon dissolved."

Lt. Baker received the Purple Heart,  Bronze Star, and The Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. Because of the racial elements at the time, it took 52 years for Lt. Baker to be nominated and presented with the Medal Of Honor for his actions. You can read his citation here. 
Lt. Baker retired from the Army in 1968.  He started a second career working more than 20 years with the Red Cross.
When speaking about the Medal Of Honor, Lt. Baker is quoted as saying, "I'm not a hero. I am a soldier that did a good job. I think the real hero's are the men I left behind on that hill that day." Well Lt. Baker, I would like to thank you for your service, your sacrifice and for being a teacher in the art of Valor. You are MY hero. 

A Lifetime Of Honor

Teachers, much like doctors, are expected to know all the answers. We're teachers, right? But as a teacher, I will be the first person to tell you that I do not know everything. At times, ashamed of my ignorance, I wonder, "why was I never taught about that?"

This sensation was repeated just last night when I received a forwarded email detailing the Tomb Of The Unknown Solider and the Old Guard. The teacher in me had to confirm if the information in the email was correct. After a little bit of research I found some of the email's "information" to be true and some rumor.  Regardless, the true meaning of the Tomb and the story of the Soldiers who guard it is worth knowing.  I have decided to share it here because I want to show the unaware (like myself merely a day ago) the critical emphasis the United States puts on honoring its fallen warriors, even if their identities remain forever unknown.

The Tomb Of The Unknown Solider is located in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. On March 4 1921, Congress approved the burial of an unknown Soldier in the plaza of the Memorial Amphitheater.  On Memorial Day 1921, four unknown American Soldiers from WWI were exhumed in France.  On October 24^th of that same year, Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger (who was wounded in combat, highly-decorated for valor and received the Distinguished Service Medal) placed a spray of white roses on the casket of the chosen unknown Solider who would be interned at the Tomb of the Unknown. On Armistice Day (later renamed Veteran’s Day), November 11, 1921 President Warren G. Harding officiated the ceremonies of the Unknown Soldier.  

On August 3^rd 1956 President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill to select and honor unknown Soldiers from WWII and Korea. The WWII solider was chosen by Navy Hospitalman 1st Class William R. Charette, then the Navy's only active-duty Medal of Honor recipient. Army Master Sgt. Ned Lyle had the distinguished honor of choosing the Unknown Soldier from the Korean War. On Memorial Day 1958 President Eisenhower awarded each soldier the Medal of Honor before laying them in their final resting places.  

On May 17^th 1984 at a ceremony held at Pearl Harbor, Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Allan Jay Kellogg Jr. chose the Unknown Soldier from Vietnam. The Unknown Soldier arrived in California where he began his journey across the country to the Nation’s Capitol where President Ronald Regan and Mrs. Regan were among the many visitors to pay their respects in the Capitol. On Memorial Day 1984, the Unknown Soldier of Vietnam was carried on an Army caisson through the Capitol to Arlington National Cemetery.  There, President Regan presided over the ceremony awarding the Medal Of Honor to the Unknown Soldier, standing in as the Soldier’s next of kin, and accepting the interment flag at the end of the ceremony.  

Due to scientific advancement the remains of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier were exhumed and identified through DNA testing in May of 1998. The solider was identified as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down near An Loc, Vietnam, in 1972. It has been decided to leave the Vietnam tomb vacant.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier represents the respect and gratitude of a Nation.  A declaration to never forget anyone, even those whose names, locations, and final resting spots are unknown. It is a place for family members and friends to help find closure and solace.  

Another component of the respect of a grateful nation is the Old Guard. The Old Guard is also known as the 3^rd US Infantry, the oldest active duty infantry unit in the Army. The 3^rd US Infantry has been serving Our Nation since 1784.  The Old Guard is the official ceremonial unit presiding over all military ceremonies connected with the Arlington National Cemetery and the President of the United States, in addition to providing security during an emergency or civil disturbance.  

One of the positions the Old Guard holds at Arlington National Cemetery is that of Sentinel of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.  Members of the Old Guard who become Sentinels are hand picked volunteers who are arduously tested through different phases for more than nine months before granted the honor of wearing the permanent silver badge of an Old Guard Sentinel. There have been over 500 Sentinels, three of which were women, who have guarded the Tomb since 1926. In July 1937, the order went from daylight to a full twenty-four hour guard.  

Lets put that into perspective, for nearly the last 73 years, or more than 26,600 days (at the time of this writing), there has been a Sentinel guarding; honoring the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in the heat of summer, rain of hurricanes, deep snow of winter for twenty-four hours without interruption.   

The Sentinel's mission is to keep the highest standards and traditions of the Nation while keeping a constant vigil, while preventing any disrespect or desecration towards the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Yet their presence is not the only sign of honor and dedication they exhibit. The Sentinel’s take exactly twenty-one steps continuing to echo the twenty-one gun salute.  On the Sentinel’s 21^st step, he or she turns towards the Tomb to pay respects for twenty-one seconds.  After this, the Sentinel turns “down the mat” as it is called, changing the rifle to his or her outside shoulder, and waiting another twenty-one seconds before taking the twenty-one steps to repeat the process.  

Every single aspect of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier shows honor, tradition, and respect. I have never been to the East Coast, but when I do make the trip I plan on seeing what I can only imagine is a somber and beautiful tradition of honor. I hope to see you there. 

References: Society of the Honor Guard- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

                     Arlington National Cemetery

John William Finn, Oldest Medal Of Honor Recipient, Dies at 100

John William Finn was stationed on Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu, Hawaii on December 7th, 1941. After the Japanese attack began he manned a .50 Caliber machine gun in an open position to take careful aim at the Japanese attack planes.  He received 21 distinct wounds during two hours of manning his position.

"I got that gun and I started shooting at Jap planes," Finn said in a 2009 interview. "I was out there shooting the Jap planes and just every so often I was a target for some," he said, "in some cases, I could see [the Japanese pilots'] faces."

 Collier, Peter (2006). Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty 

 After receiving medical care he went back to work arming the remaining American planes. I would say this is a True American, but according to his own words from Collier,

"That damned hero stuff is a bunch crap, I guess. [...] You gotta understand that there's all kinds of heroes, but they never get a chance to be in a hero's position."

 Here is his Medal Of Honor Citation

FINN, JOHN WILLIAM

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif. Citation: For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

             http://www.history.army.mil/