William Jackson

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Jackson, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 3 – 9, 1918. While acting as battalion runner, Sergeant Jackson, regardless of personal danger, many times volunteered and carried messages under the most intense shell fire, thereby greatly assisting in maintaining liaison with other units.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to William Jackson (RA12771906), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry, Americal Division. Private Jackson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 March 1969 during a combat sweep operation near the village of Tap An Bac, approximately twenty miles southeast of Quang Ngai City. While his unit was making its way through thick underbrush, hedgerows and clusters of bamboo, several small groups of North Vietnamese soldiers were spotted. Searching the dense terrain, Specialist Jackson saw four enemy troops moving to a bunker and immediately opened fire, single-handedly killing all four and capturing their weapons. As his element continued forward, it came under fire from a hostile fortification which wounded the radio-telephone operator. Private Jackson courageously exposed himself to the communists to draw their attention and to place accurate return fire, enabling two men to rescue the casualty. When he and his comrades were securing the area so the wounded man could be evacuated, they started to receive heavy fire from another enemy position. Shooting his rifle and hurling hand grenades, Private Jackson made a direct assault on the stronghold and succeeded in silencing it. An ambulance helicopter began to land, but was engulfed by enemy fire. Private Jackson braved a hail of bullets to engage the aggressors, and was mortally wounded by the hostile fusillade. Private Jackson’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1855 (May 23, 1969)