Final Honors For Lucas, Iwo Jima Marine And MoH Hero
I have been keeping up with this story since I first heard he was gravely ill and diagnosed with cancer….
I had to give him this final post….
Farwell and Semper FI
Marine Who Fought In WWII At Age 14 And Won Medal Of Honor, Dies
Ruby Lucas, left, is comforted by Butch Smith of Purvis, Miss. during the military burial service of Medal of Honor Recipient Jack Lucas at Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg, Miss. on June 9.
Jack Lucas forged his mother’s signature on an enlistment waiver and joined the Marines at 14.
The Associated Press
Monday Jun 9, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss.— More than 600 people attended Monday’s funeral for World War II hero Jack Lucas, who at 17 was the youngest Marine to receive the nation’s highest military honor.
Among those in attendance were five of Lucas’ fellow Medal of Honor recipients, who remembered him as a genuine patriot.
“As Jack liked to tell us, ‘It’s not what I did, it’s what we did,’” said retired Marine Maj. Gen. James Livingston, one of the Medal of Honor recipients in attendance.
The world first learned of Jacklyn H. Lucas when word spread of his heroic deeds in the 1945 battle at Iwo Jima, one of the World War II’s bloodiest battles.
Lucas lied his way into the Marines at 14, stowed away on a ship bound for combat in the Pacific Ocean at 16 and met his first president at 17, when Harry Truman greeted him and others during a Medal of Honor ceremony in 1945.
Lucas received the medal after using his body to shield his comrades from grenades during a fire fight with the Japanese. He somehow survived when one exploded — but he was left with 250 pieces of shrapnel in his body and a lifetime of pain and health problems.
Lucas feared he’d be left for dead, but a corpsman saved him. That corpsman did not make it through the battle.
Outspoken and full of stories, Lucas made friends throughout the world and was viewed as an inspiration by soldiers in each military branch.
Livingston called Lucas “a remarkable and affable man.”
“We owe him a great debt,” he said.
Lucas’ funeral was held in Hattiesburg, where he lived for nearly 20 years after falling on hard times. He is survived by his wife, Ruby; five children; and 13 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Perhaps the person who knew him best was D.K. Drum, who helped him write his autobiography, “Indestructible.”
“He never gave less than his all,” Drum said, “whether a warrior in battle or representing his nation’s fallen heroes, helping a friend in need or fighting cancer until the end.”
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Honor.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:42 pmRespect.
Devotion.
…and no way could I deny him a
This nation and our military was built, and IS still sustained, on the shoulders of men such as these …
Enjoy the eternal feast In the Mansions Of The Lord, Jack Lucas.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
RIP and thanks.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:33 pmAs Gods army continues to grow. my grandma was called home earlier this morning, she had cancer as well.
God Bless men like Jack Lucas. This country and the world for that matter are far better because of them. Thank you for your service and bravery in defense of this nation. it just amazes me he started his journey at the age of 14
June 10th, 2008 at 6:19 pmThat much heart, dedication and bravery at 14 is incredible to say the least. God bless his family and friends. Jack Lucas, I am speachless. Thank you for everything you did. Rest in Peace.
Condolences to you on the passing of your grandma.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:37 pm—————————
I’ll make sure to pray for your grandmother too…
Im sorry for your loss.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:23 pmthank you. i appreciate that
June 10th, 2008 at 7:41 pmSemper Fi Marine Lucas! RIP.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:45 pmSemper Fi Jack. Please send us more like you when you get up there…
June 11th, 2008 at 3:08 am