Pvt Jacob A. Jackson Biography

Private Jacob Aaron Jackson

World War II and German Occupation

US Army
Service Number: 37343706
Born: August 6, 1921, Hoxie, Kansas
Inducted: March 1943,
Served in South Pacific with Army Air Corps
Discharged: Jan 1946 as a Corporal
Reenlisted: July 1949
Died: December 25, 1953, Kuntsmuchle, Germany
while serving with Company A, 118th Engineer Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division
Buried: Otis Cemetery

Son of Robert F. and Alice Gilbert Jackson of Otis.

Otis Cemetery
Pvt Jackson Marker

Thursday May 13, 1954 The Akron News-Reporter

Services were held from the First Presbyterian Church in Otis Monday afternoon for Pvt. Jacob Jackson, with the Rev. Paul Prouty in charge of services. Full military service was held at the Otis Cemetery.

Jacob Aaron Jackson was born in Hoxie, Sheridan County, Kansas August 6, 1921 and departed this life previous to April 11, 1954, when his body was located in the Regnitz River, in Kuntsmuchle, Germany.

He was in his 32nd year of life. His father, Robert Franklin Jackson; a brother, James; and two sisters, Violet and Geneva, preceded him in death.

At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps for a period of six months and was then honorably discharged.

On March 22. 1943, he was inducted into the armed forces and served in the South Pacific during World War II, until receiving an honorable discharge on January 10, 1946.

In July, 1949. he re-enlisted and was stationed in Canada and the states. In February of 1953 he was transferred to the occupational zone of Germany with the 118th Engineer Battalion and was attached to this unit until his death.

He is survived by his mother, Alice C. Jackson of Otis; one brother, Frank Jackson of Otis; and five sisters, Victoria Riley of Yuma, Frances Williams of Avenal, California, Charlotte Smith of Colorado Springs, Doralea Munson of Sterling, and Rozella Kuntz of Sterling, and a host of relatives and friends.

COMPANY A 118th ENGINEER BATTALION APO 112 US Army
17 April 1954
Mrs. Alice C. Jackson Otis, Colorado Dear Mrs. Jackson, You have no doubt been informed by the Adjutant General of the death of your son, Private Jake A. Jackson, near Vach, Germany. Jake's untimely death was caused by accidental drowning. He left on pass in the best of spirits and we were shocked and surprised when he did not return on schedule. Every effort was made to locate him; however, none were successful. On April 11th, his body was finally found in the Regnitz River near Vach, Germany. Memorial services, in which all of the officers and men of this unit participated, were held at 9:00 A.M. on April 16th, in the Post Chapel, Monteith Barracks. The loss of your son has been felt keenly in this organization. He was liked and respected as an individual, and deeply admired as the best heavy equipment operator we had ever had. It has been determined under Government regulations that his death was sustained in the line of duty, and not as a result of his own misconduct. The personal effects of your son have been collected and will be forwarded to you with the least possible delay. The personnel of this unit extend you their sincerest sympathy, and hope that you may find sustaining comfort in the knowledge that he served his Country honorably.
Sincerely yours, signed JAMES H. DAVIS Capt CE Commanding

Notes:

Otis Cemetery headstone photograph by Arlene Glenn.

Jacob Jackson photos, certificate and letter donated by Doralea Sauer (Jake Jackson's sister.)