Arthur Junior “Art” Jackson was born on October 18, 1924 in Ohio. He joined the Marine Corps out of Portland, Oregon when he was 18. He first saw combat in the Battle for Cape Gloucester, then he went on to Peleliu where he was awarded the Medal of Honor for single-handedly taking out twelve enemy pillboxes and over fifty enemy soldiers. After Peleliu, he served on Okinawa as a platoon sergeant and was wounded for the second time. He also fought in the Korean War and retired from the Army Reserves as a Captain in 1984. He lived in Boise, Idaho and passed away at the age of 92 on June 14, 2017. Arthur is now buried in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise, Ada County, Idaho, USA.
His Medal of Honor citation reads:
"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."
Source of information: www.findagrave.com