(1923- ) Air Force Pilot and Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Awarded the MOH for his actions as Lt. Colonel with the 311th Air Commando Squadron based in Da Nang, May 12, 1968. Lt. Col. Jackson volunteered to attempt to rescue a three man USAF Combat Control Team from a special forces camp at Kham Duc. Enemy forces had overrun the forward outpost and had set up gun position on the airstrip from which they raked the camp with heavy fire. During the battle the camp was engulfed in flames causing the ammunition dumps to explode sending debris onto the airstrip. Also, 8 planes had been destroyed by the enemy, and one remained on the runway cutting the usable length to 2,200 feet. Despite the almost impossible odds of success Jackson made a landing on the strip at a point where the three men were thought to be hiding. Despite being under constant close fire Jackson was able to rescue the three and fly back to safety. Sig., also signed "Col. USAF Ret. MOH"

Ask a question about this item. 

Return to Catalog