FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of the Heroes: PFC Jack Lucas ~ June 23, 2008

Linked in thread

[StarCMC]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

PFC Jacklyn H. Lucas
All info and photos from this website.

           

Although only 14 years of age, having a muscular build, 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall and weighing 180 pounds (82 kg), he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve without his mother's consent on August 6, 1942. He gave his age as 17, and went to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina for recruit training.

During his rifle training, Pvt. Lucas qualified as a sharpshooter. He was next assigned to the Marine Barracks and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. In June 1943, he was transferred to the 21st Replacement Battalion at New River, North Carolina, and one month later he went to the 25th Replacement Battalion, where he successfully completed schooling which qualified him as a heavy machine gun crewman.

He left the continental United States on November 4, 1943, and the following month he joined the 6th Base Depot of the V Amphibious Corps at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was advanced to private first class on January 29, 1944.

With statements to his buddies that he was going to join a combat organization, PFC Lucas walked out of camp on January 10, 1945, wearing a khaki uniform and carrying his dungarees and field shoes in a roll under his arm.

He was declared absent without leave (AWOL) when he failed to return that night and a month later, when there was still no sign of him, he was declared a "deserter", and a reward was offered for his apprehension. He was also reduced to the rank of private at that time.

He stowed away on board USS Deuel which was transporting units of the 5th Marine Division into combat. He surrendered to the senior troop officer present on February 8, 1945 dressed in neat, clean dungarees. He was allowed to remain, and shortly after he was transferred to Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Division. He reached his 17th birthday while at sea, six days before the heroic actions at Iwo Jima, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

On the day following the landing at Iwo Jima, he was creeping through a twisting ravine with three other men of his rifle team when the Japanese opened a hand grenade attack on them. The men jumped into two shallow foxholes. Lucas pushed a thrown hand grenade into the volcanic ash and covered it with his helmet and his body. He was left for dead by his companions, although he was miraculously still alive. Severely wounded in the right arm and wrist, right leg and thigh, and chest, Pvt. Lucas had undoubtedly saved his companions from serious injury and possible death.

He was evacuated to the hospital ship Samaritan, and then treated at various field hospitals prior to his arrival in San Francisco, California on March 28, 1945. He eventually underwent 21 surgeries. For the rest of his life, there remained about 200 pieces of metal, some the size of 22 caliber bullets, in Lucas' body — which set off airport metal detectors.

The mark of desertion was removed from his record in August of that year while he was a patient at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Charleston, South Carolina. He was discharged from the Marine Corps Reserve because of disability resulting from his wounds on September 18, 1945, following his reappointment to the rank of Private First Class.

On October 5, 1945, Lucas and 14 other sailors and Marines (including Pappy Boyington) were presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman. In attendance at the ceremony were Lucas' mother and General George Patton, Admiral Chester Nimitz, and Secretary of Defense James Forrestal.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC Lucas was awarded the Purple Heart; Presidential Unit Citation; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star; American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

On August 3, 2006, Lucas, along with 15 living Marine Medal of Honor recipients, was presented the Medal of Honor flag by Commandant of the Marine Corps General Michael Hagee. The presentation took place at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. in front of over 1,000, including family, friends, and Marines. Lucas said of the ceremony, "To have these young men here in our presence — it just rejuvenates this old heart of mine. I love the Corps even more knowing that my country is defended by such fine young people."

He died at a hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on June 5, 2008 of leukemia with wife Ruby by his side. He had earned a business degree from High Point University and had also later served in the U. S. Army in the 1960s a as paratrooper to conquer his fear of heights. He survived a training jump in which both parachutes did not open.

Lucas receives his Medal of Honor Flag from CMC Gen. Hagee.

Medal of Honor Citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JACKLYN H. LUCAS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following 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.

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[StarCMC]

Ping to another story in the Hall of the Heroes ~ PFC Jack Lucas was the youngest person to ever win the Medal of Honor ~ you’ll love this story as we remember a hero who left us just 15 days ago... God speed, Mr. Lucas! May you rest in peace!

[gate2wire]

1st

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hall of Heroes: Jack Lucas

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[TASMANIANRED]

Saying Hi early.

Hugs.

[HiJinx]

Good afternoon, Connie.

We have thunder and rain in the hills down here...how’re you doing?

[StarCMC]

FIRST!! W00t!!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Awesome story, Star!
Thank you!
*HUG*

[StarCMC]

SECOND! :-)

[StarCMC]

THIRD!!

[StarCMC]

FOURTH!!

(HUGS backatcha!!)

[StarCMC]

FIFTH!!

[StarCMC]

HEY!! Good to see ya!!

*HUG*

[SandRat]

Howdee.

[StarCMC]

Helloooooo! :-)

[AZamericonnie]

Thank you for this evening’s Hall of Heroes Starlette! *Hugs*

RIP our hero PFC Jack Lucas.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Good to see you, too!
How ya doing?

[SandRat]

Have to be at an Eagle Court of Honor tonight at 7pm. Means I’ll be leaving at about 6:30. Two more Young MEN become Eagle Scouts.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*smooch*
How’s yer shift going, Sis?

[HiJinx]

FIFTH!!

I'll drink to that...

Jack Lucas' story is amazing...at 15 he was good enough to qualify as a sharpshooter. And today, folks have a cow if a teenager so much as looks at a gun.

[HiJinx]

Congrats to the Eagle Scouts.
Any rain over by you?
None here, yet - it’s still evaporating before reaching the ground...

[TASMANIANRED]

Cool beans, Congrats

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Kathy. Hugs.

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Connie. Hugs.

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Jinxie.

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Schatzi. Smooch.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

AbnSarge USA
Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
Capt Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Clarinet_King USAF (NerdDad/CDBear)
Col Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Ev USA (Mozie)
Fred (DocRock)
Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
GulfWar1Vet USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
KB4W USAF (arbee4bush)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Lt David (Coldwater Creek)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
Sgt Dusty USA (MountainDad)
Sgt Sean Reed (preed)
Sgt Spencer USA (grame)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Sandy.

[AZamericonnie]

{{{Jinx}}}

You got rain? How wonderful the sight of it must be!

I went out to run errands today & it was so yucky I only did what was absolutly neccesary.

My own fault....I should have gone out very early.

[TASMANIANRED]

It’s been busy but manageable.

Hairy spells were brief.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Got a potato chip caught in me throat this afternoon..
Felt like it went down sideways..
Times like that, our medical training comes in handy!

[AZamericonnie]

Hiya Taz....did ya get a good supper this evening?

How’s the girls?

[Kathy in Alaska]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America

[StarCMC]

Doing great! We’re about to head out and meet some friends for dinner ~ that’s why I posted a little early.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Have a great time!

[StarCMC]

MEN for sure — those guys amaze and inspire me!!

[StarCMC]

Thanks!! Red Robin — YUM!!

[HiJinx]

Evening, Taz.

Ever heard of making brownies with black beans? Nana’s sister suggested it the other day; she made some last night.

I wouldn’t recommend ‘em...

[StarCMC]

Got that right!!

[HiJinx]

There are storms out there, but nothing is making it to the ground.

It was actually cool and breezy when I mowed (from 3-4). I guess cool is relative, it was probably somewhere between 85-95 degrees out.

[TASMANIANRED]

Ouch.. I’m betting you have a sore throat now...

You didn’t have to hindlick yourself, did you.

[HiJinx]

Woo-Hoo - just got a call from friends to go over to their place for dinner - dogs and burgers.

I’ll see y’all later, or perhaps tomorrow.

We’ll see!

[TASMANIANRED]

The girls are good. I’ve told them they are gonna have company for about a week.

Lucy the Wonder dog comes Friday .

[TASMANIANRED]

Enjoy your evening out..

[TASMANIANRED]

Black Beans..as in cacoa?

They are bitter.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

No, I didn’t have to Heimlich myself..
Sure was a tense couple of minutes though!

[TASMANIANRED]

We had quite a thunder boomer and a down pour this afternoon.

Looks like they could be building up again after a sunny stretch.

[TASMANIANRED]

Enjoy your dinner too.