James Wesley Jackson, JrGunnery SergeantL CO, 3RD BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV United States Marine Corps 26 February 1948 - 07 August 1980 Atlanta, Georgia Panel 18W Line 121 |
 
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The database page for James Wesley Jackson, Jr
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This page is dedicated to James W. Jackson Jr of Atlanta Ga. He not only risked all he had by fighting for all that we believe in, but he shares an unfortunate bond with hundreds of other soldiers as well. The bond I'm referring to is that of being listed as 'POW/MIA'. I dedicate this site in the hopes that the citizens of this country will not forget James and all of the other soldiers who've yet to be brought home!
All Gave Some...
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Jimmy Jackson, my childhood friend, attended grammar school in College Park (Longino Elementary), lived on Lyle Avenue, had a big smile and a big heart. I talked with him at the East Point swimming pool in 1968 just before he left for the Marines. I served in the Marine Corps Reserve for six years. I have thought about him often. One day in Sandestin, Florida, a good friend and I were discussing Vietnam era stories and I discovered that Jimmy's mother was the aunt of my friend's wife. I pray that someday the answers are found.
From a childhood friend, |
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Elizabeth, I did a Google search for GySgt James W. Jackson and stumbled upon your website. I don't know how many of the MIA bracelets were made for each serviceman killed or missing, but I've been wearing Gunny Jackson's bracelet since high school. I'm a middle school teacher and I graduated from high school in 1995 so I've been wearing it for about 15 years. I had never thought to do a Google search - I'm glad that I did. I can't tell you how many times I've looked at the name on the bracelet and wondered what James looked like. Do you have any additional photos besides the one on your webpage? I did a "Wall" rubbing when I was in Washington in 2001, but I have very little information about him besides that. I hope to hear back from you.
Eric Glazier |
A note from The Virtual WallThen-PFC James W Jackson was serving with Lima 3/4 Marines at Fire Support Base Russell, northwest of the Rockpile and just south of the DMZ. On 21 September 1969 FSB Russell was being shut down. The fortifications and excess munitions were being prepared for destruction in place when an accidental explosion killed four men and wounded fifteen others. PFC Jackson received what appeared to be a minor shrapnel wound but seemed dazed. He was evacuated with the other wounded to the US military hospital at Quang Tri City.PFC Jackson was helped aboard the CH-46 medivac helo by his platoon sergeant and his platoon Corpsman accompanied the wounded. At Quang Tri the Corpsman, HM3 Lannie Gary, watched as PFC Jackson and the other wounded were assisted from the CH-46 and escorted into the hospital's emergency room. That was the last time that anyone is known to have sighted Jackson. Several weeks passed before anyone even looked for him. His unit "knew" that he was in the hospital, but the hospital had no record of receiving him and thus no reason to look for him. His parents, however, raised the alarm after they didn't hear from him. Once alerted the Marines conducted extensive investigations but were unable to locate anyone who had sighted Jackson after he disembarked from the CH-46. There was no evidence or reason to believe that Jackson had deliberately absented himself and no evidence that he had somehow been captured by VC operating in the immediate vicinity of the hospital. He had simply disappeared without explanation or trace. PFC Jackson was classed as Missing in Action and was carried in that status until 07 August 1980, when the Secretary of the Navy approved a Presumptive Finding of Death. During that period, Jackson had been promoted to Gunnery Sergeant (E-7). GySgt Jackson's disappearance remains unexplained. |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is one who wears his MIA bracelet, Elizabeth J. Darsey lizs.place@yahoo.com |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 23 Oct 2002
Last updated 11/13/2010