photo #8885113

Action Jackson Peleliu 1944 In 1944, 19-year-old Marine Arthur "Bull" Jackson faced a nightmare of enemy fire. Pinned down by entrenched Japanese bunkers, his unit could barely advance. Without hesitation, Jackson volunteered for a mission that seemed impossible: Clear the enemy positions alone. Armed with grenades, explosives and a rifle, he moved into a shallow trench connecting the pillboxes. Every step exposed him to deadly fire, yet he pressed on throwing grenades and planting charges that erupted in blinding smoke and destruction. One by one, the bunkers fell to his relentless assault. Over about 90 minutes, Jackson destroyed 12 pillboxes and killed dozens of enemy soldiers. Exhausted, dehydrated, and battered, he finally collapsed, but the southern defenses were shattered, allowing his unit to advance. His fellow Marines looked on in amazement, they couldn't believe one man could accomplish so much. Jackson later received the Medal of Honor from President Truman, though he humbly insisted he was, "Just a good Marine doing his duty."