LTC George D. Jackson (Ret.)

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Co. G Commander 1952-1953, Silver Star, USMA-1945 (Deceased 2008)

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LTC GEORGE D. JACKSON (Ret.)

George D. Jackson was born April 2, 1924 in Many, Louisiana and is a 1945 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry, LTC Jackson attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. His first duty assignment was in the Philippines with the 86th Infantry Division, where he served as a Platoon Leader in the Mindanao Task Force and as a Company Commander of a Philippine Scout Company in Manila.

After returning to the US, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California, where he trained new soldiers. After graduating from Infantry Officer Advanced Course and Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA, Jackson was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea, where he commanded G Company, 65th Infantry Regiment. Early in October 25, 1952, CPT Jackson’s G Company was sent to hold Hill 391, an outpost two kilometers forward of the main line. At dawn, he discovered the entire area his company was defending was under total observation by the enemy around him. They held the position for three days and four nights. The last night they were subjected to an enormous artillery barrage. It was estimated that the location took 1,000 rounds in 20-30 minutes. They were ordered to withdraw to the main line. G Company had to fight its way out since they were totally surrounded by enemy forces and make their way back to friendly lines. Due to their courageous stand and fight for the hill it became known as Jackson Heights, in honor of the man who led his soldiers there. They held the hill in the most adverse combat conditions, while under-gunned, against superior forces, with poor artillery support and under direct enemy observation. Only 89 of 159 men made it back to friendly lines unscathed, the remainder were killed or wounded.

After leaving Korea, he was assigned to Headquarters, 9th Corps in Japan as a G3 Training Officer. Upon returning to the US, LTC Jackson served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Fordham University in New York. His next assignment was in the G-1 office of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. LTC Jackson then served as the Chief of Counterinsurgency Planning on the Military Advisory Assistance Group Staff, Republic of Vietnam. He returned to the US in 1962 and was assigned as the Secretary of the General Staff, Fourth United States Army. LTC Jackson completed his 20 years of military service as the G-1at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. LTC Jackson retired in 1965 and went to work as a Marketing and Operations Manager for the Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company.

LTC Jackson has earned an MBA from Loyola University and his previous awards and decorations include the World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Asiatic/Pacific Service Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam), Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and in December 2002, he finally was awarded the Silver Star for his heroism and leadership on Jackson Heights, Korea in 1952. At the ceremony Jackson stated, “I accept this award in honor of the 65th, the whole company stayed and fought under the most murderous of conditions.”

LTC Jackson died on September 6, 2008 after a lengthy illness at the age of 84.  He was laid to rest at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Texas.  LTC Jackson is survived by his wife, the former Maria Consuelo Orio of Spain. Their home is in Dallas, Texas.   They have six children, George A. Jackson, Mary Elizabeth Norton, Jennifer Stipick, Elena Forsyth, Tina Noah, James Jackson, and have 11 grandchildren.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Col. Jackson for THE BORINQUENEERS documentary film where he appeared. His daughter Tina writes “The memories of the Borinqueneers were important to him and he was honored to be able to help you tell their story.  My mother asked me to write to you to tell you of his death and thank you for your thoughtfulness towards him.” 

Submitted by his daughter, Tina Jackson Noah; Biography prepared by his friend, LTC Bart Soto (USA, Reserve).

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