Arthur Junior Jackson
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II

Captain Arthur Junior Jackson is a U.S. Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on Peleliu during World War II. Then a Private First Class, Jackson single-handedly destroyed 12 enemy pillboxes and killed 50 enemy soldiers.

Arthur Junior Jackson was born on 18 October 1924 in Cleveland, OH. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Oregon. In January 1943, he began his recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, and soon thereafter joined the 1st Marine Division in Melbourne, Australia, in June 1943.

On 13 January 1944, while taking part in the Cape Gloucester campaign, he carried a wounded Marine to safety in the face of well-entrenched Japanese troops on the slope of a steep hill, thus saving the wounded man's life. For this action, he was awarded a Letter of Commendation.

Following this, on 18 September 1944, while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, he took part in the fighting and was wounded on Peleliu. For his heroic actions in that battle, he was awarded the Medal of Honor and his first Purple Heart.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Place and date: Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September 1944.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September 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, Pfc. Jackson unhesitatingly proceeded forward of our lines and, courageously defying the heavy barrages, charged a large pillbox housing approximately 35 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 similar means to smash 2 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 1 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 12 pillboxes and 50 Japanese soldiers. Stouthearted and indomitable despite the terrific odds. Pfc. Jackson resolutely maintained control of the platoon's left flank movement throughout his valiant 1-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 Pfc. Jackson and the U.S. Naval Service.

He again went into combat on Okinawa where, as a Platoon Sergeant with the 1st Marine Division, he was again wounded in action on 18 May 1945. That August he was commissioned as a Marine Second Lieutenant.

During ceremonies at the White House on 5 October 1945, President Harry S. Truman presented him with the Nation's highest combat award for valor, the Medal of Honor.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart (2 Awards)
Presidential Unit Citation
National Defense Service Medal
China Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal with "Japan" Clasp
United Nations Service Medal

Letter of Commendation

Post-War Life

Following the war, Jackson served in North China during the post-war occupation of that country. On his return to the U.S., he returned briefly to civilian life, but, shortly after, entered the U.S. Army Reserves where, in 1954, he made the rank of Captain. Although he served with the Army during the Korean War, he returned to the Marine Corps in 1959. He again left the Corps in 1962 but remained active in the Army Reserves and eventually retired from that service in 1984.

During this time he also worked for the United States Postal Service.

Jackson is now retired and currently lives in Boise, ID.