Jacklyn H Lucas
| Jacklyn H. Lucas | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 14, 1928 Plymouth, North Carolina |
| Died | June 5, 2008 Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
| Status | Survived |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps Reserve |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Service number | |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | Earned a business degree; later served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division |
Jacklyn "Jack" Lucas (February 14, 1928 – June 5, 2008) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima. At 17 he was the youngest Marine — and youngest U.S. serviceman of World War II — to receive the medal.
Lucas enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at age 14 by forging his mother's signature, and stowed away on a transport to reach the combat zone. He served with the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
Medal of Honor
[edit]On February 20, 1945 (D-plus-1), Lucas and three others were ambushed by a Japanese patrol. When two grenades landed among them, he threw himself over one and pulled the other beneath his body, absorbing the blast to shield his comrades. He survived — with roughly 200 pieces of shrapnel permanently embedded in his body — and received the Medal of Honor from President Truman.
Citation
[edit]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.
Legacy
[edit]After the war Lucas earned a business degree and later served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. He died of leukemia in 2008.