James B. (J.B.) Jackson began his service career with the Civil Air Patrol stationed in Manteo, NC. The CAP flew submarine patrol over the Outer Banks area of the Atlantic.

When the navy closed the CAP facility, J.B. enlisted in the U.S. Army and after enlistment at Camp Croft, SC, and training at Ft. Bragg, served with the 33rd Infantry Division (The Golden Cross) during WWII spending most of his time in New Guinea and Luzon, and finally Japan.

He flew an Piper L-4 "Grasshopper" spotting and directing artillery fire on the Japanese Army. He didn't speak often of the war but when pressed, he would tell of some of the horrific sights he witnessed to both his own comrades and the Japanese. One thing that stays in my memory is his description ot the use of flame-throwers to drive the enemy out of caves on the islands from where they would launch night attacks. "You could hear the screams and the smell of burning flesh was one that you would never forget as the smoke would fill the sky".

Dad was wounded by scrapnel from anti-aircraft fire one one of his missions that tore into his leg and later received the Purple Heart. He attained the rank of First Sergeant by end of the war.

More than anything I wish I had pressed him for more information about his service…. information now lost forever.

James B Jackson