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{{Short description|American Vietnam War veteran}} |
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{{Infobox military person |
{{Infobox military person |
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|name=Jack H. Jacobs |
|name= Jack H. Jacobs |
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|image= Jack H. Jacobs (53741490821) (cropped).jpg |
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|alt= |
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|caption= |
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|nickname= |
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|birth_date= {{Birth date and age|1945|8|2}} |
|birth_date= {{Birth date and age|1945|8|2}} |
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|birth_place= [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (State)|New York]]<ref name=JHJ/> |
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|death_date= |
|death_date= |
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|death_place= |
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|birth_place= [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]] |
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|placeofburial= |
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|death_place= |
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|placeofburial= |
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|placeofburial_label= Place of burial |
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|image=JackHJacobs.jpg |
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|caption= |
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|allegiance= United States |
|allegiance= United States |
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|branch= [[United States Army]] |
|branch= [[United States Army]] |
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|serviceyears= 1966–1987 |
|serviceyears= 1966–1987 |
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|rank= [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] |
|rank= [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] |
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|servicenumber= |
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|commands= |
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|unit=[[505th Infantry Regiment]], [[82nd Airborne Division]] |
|unit= [[505th Infantry Regiment]], [[82nd Airborne Division]] |
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|commands= |
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|battles= [[Vietnam War]] |
|battles= [[Vietnam War]] |
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|awards= [[Medal of Honor]]<br/>[[Silver Star]] (2)<br/>[[Bronze Star Medal |
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]]<br/>[[Silver Star]] (2)<br/>[[Legion of Merit]]<br/>[[Bronze Star Medal]] (3)<br/>[[Purple Heart]] (2) |
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|relations= |
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|laterwork= [[Bankers Trust]]<br/>[[Council on Foreign Relations]]<br/>[[Medal of Honor]] Foundation<br/>[[NBC]]/[[MSNBC]] military analyst |
|laterwork= [[Bankers Trust]]<br/>[[Council on Foreign Relations]]<br/>[[Medal of Honor]] Foundation<br/>[[NBC]]/[[MSNBC]] military analyst |
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}} |
}} |
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[[File:Jack H Jacobs aboard Roosevelt.jpg|thumb|Jack H. Jacobs aboard USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'', December 2005]] |
[[File:Jack H Jacobs aboard Roosevelt.jpg|thumb|Jack H. Jacobs aboard USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'', December 2005]] |
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'''Jack Howard Jacobs''' (born August 2, 1945) is a retired [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in the [[United States Army]] and a [[Medal of Honor]] recipient for his actions during the [[Vietnam War]]. He |
'''Jack Howard Jacobs''' (born August 2, 1945) is a retired [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in the [[United States Army]] and a [[Medal of Honor]] recipient for his actions during the [[Vietnam War]]. He serves as a military analyst for [[NBC News]] and [[MSNBC]] and previously worked as an investment manager. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Born on August 2, 1945, in [[Brooklyn, New York]],<ref name="citation"/> Jacobs lived in [[Queens]] near [[LaGuardia Airport]]. He was born into a [[Jewish]] family<ref name="brody"/> with origins in |
Born on August 2, 1945, in [[Brooklyn, New York]],<ref name="citation"/> Jacobs lived in [[Queens]] near [[LaGuardia Airport]]. He was born into a [[Jewish]] family,<ref name="brody"/> with origins in Greece, Poland, and Romania.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Colonel Jack Jacobs|author=Sandra Stewart Holyoak|work=[[Rutgers University|Rutgers University Press]] |date=November 20, 2000|access-date=February 18, 2013 |url=http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/interviewees/30-interview-html-text/509-jacobs-jack}}</ref> As a child, he moved with his family to [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey]], in the mid-1950s and in 1962 graduated from [[Woodbridge High School (New Jersey)|Woodbridge High School]].<ref name="rutgers"/> |
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Jacobs then attended [[Rutgers University]], where he earned both [[Bachelor of Arts]] and [[Master of Arts]] degrees. A member of the school's Army [[Reserve Officer Training Corps]] program, he entered military service as a [[second lieutenant]] in 1966.<ref name="msnbcprofile"/> |
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==Military service== |
==Military service== |
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In the course of his military career, |
In the course of his military career, Jacobs served as a [[platoon]] leader in the [[82nd Airborne Division]], a battalion [[executive officer]] in the [[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Infantry Division]], and a battalion commander with the [[10th Infantry Regiment (United States)|10th Infantry Regiment]] in [[Panama]]. He spent two tours of duty in Vietnam, both times as an advisor to infantry units in the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] (ARVN).<ref name="msnbcprofile"/> |
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In his first deployment to Vietnam, Jacobs served as a [[first lieutenant]] with [[Military Assistance Command, Vietnam]], in [[Kien Phong Province]], part of the [[Mekong Delta]] region.<ref name="citation"/><ref name="nyt20000528"/> By March 9, 1968, he was working as the assistant |
In his first deployment to Vietnam, Jacobs served as a [[first lieutenant]] with [[Military Assistance Command, Vietnam]], in [[Kien Phong Province]], part of the [[Mekong Delta]] region.<ref name="citation"/><ref name="nyt20000528"/> By March 9, 1968, he was working as the assistant battalion advisor for the ARVN's 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, [[9th Division (South Vietnam)|9th Infantry Division]]. During a mission on that day, the 2nd Battalion came under intense fire from an entrenched [[Viet Cong]] force. As Jacobs called in [[air support]] from his position with the leading [[company (military unit)|company]], the company commander was disabled and the unit became disorganized due to heavy casualties.<ref name="citation"/> |
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Although wounded himself by [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]] fragments to the head and arms, Jacobs took command of the company and ordered a withdrawal and the establishment of a defense line at a more secure position. Despite impaired vision caused by his injuries, he repeatedly ran across open rice paddies through heavy fire to evacuate the wounded, personally saving a fellow advisor, the wounded company commander, and twelve other allied soldiers. Three times during these trips he encountered Viet Cong squads, which he single-handedly dispersed. He was subsequently promoted to [[Captain (United States)|captain]] and awarded the Medal of Honor.<ref name="citation"/> The medal was formally presented to him by President [[Richard Nixon]].<ref name="nyt20000528"/> |
Although wounded himself by [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]] fragments to the head and arms, Jacobs took command of the company and ordered a withdrawal and the establishment of a defense line at a more secure position. Despite impaired vision caused by his injuries, he repeatedly ran across open rice paddies through heavy fire to evacuate the wounded, personally saving a fellow advisor, the wounded company commander, and twelve other allied soldiers. Three times during these trips he encountered Viet Cong squads, which he single-handedly dispersed. He was subsequently promoted to [[Captain (United States)|captain]] and awarded the [[Medal of Honor]].<ref name="citation"/> The medal was formally presented to him by President [[Richard Nixon]].<ref name="nyt20000528"/> |
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In addition to the Medal of Honor, Jacobs received two [[Silver Star]]s, three [[Bronze Star Medal |
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Jacobs received two [[Silver Star]]s, three [[Bronze Star Medal]]s, and two [[Purple Heart]]s in Vietnam.<ref name="brody"/> In his memoir, Jacobs recounts that he had to use subterfuge to return to a combat role in Vietnam after being awarded the Medal of Honor, as the military was unwilling to assign Medal of Honor recipients to combat roles.<ref name="jacobs"/> |
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Jacobs was a faculty member at the [[United States Military Academy]] in West Point, teaching [[international relations]] and [[comparative politics]] for three years, from 1973 to 1976, and at the [[National War College]] in Washington, D.C. He retired from the army in 1987 as a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]].<ref name="msnbcprofile"/> |
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In his memoir, Jacobs recounts that he had to use subterfuge to return to a combat role in Vietnam after being awarded the Medal of Honor, as the military was unwilling to assign Medal of Honor recipients to combat roles.<ref name="jacobs"/> |
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Jacobs was a faculty member at the [[United States Military Academy]] in West Point, teaching [[international relations]] and [[comparative politics]] for three years, from 1973 to 1976, and at the [[National War College]] in Washington, D.C. He retired from the Army in 1987 as a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]].<ref name="msnbcprofile"/> |
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==Business career and later life== |
==Business career and later life== |
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In May 2012, Thomas Dunne Books published Jacobs' ''Basic: Surviving Boot Camp and Basic Training'', co-written with David Fisher. The book is a history of the American military's basic training told mainly through oral histories of those who have gone through Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force initial training. |
In May 2012, Thomas Dunne Books published Jacobs' ''Basic: Surviving Boot Camp and Basic Training'', co-written with David Fisher. The book is a history of the American military's basic training told mainly through oral histories of those who have gone through Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force initial training. |
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Jacobs is also a military analyst for [[NBC]]/[[MSNBC]]. In 2009, he appeared on [[The Colbert Report]] as part of the Doom Bunker segment. He currently serves on the board of advisors of the [[Code of Support Foundation]], a nonprofit military service organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.codeofsupport.org/who-we-are/|title=Code of Support Foundation advisory board|website=codeofsupportfoundation.org|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=23 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023074855/https://www.codeofsupport.org/who-we-are/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Jacobs is married to Sue Jacobs, has a grown daughter and two sons, and lives in [[Far Hills, New Jersey]]. He has also been a resident of the [[Millington, New Jersey|Millington]] section of [[Long Hill Township, New Jersey]].<ref name="nyt20000528"/> |
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He currently serves on the board of advisors of the [[Code of Support Foundation]], a nonprofit military service organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.codeofsupport.org/who-we-are/|title=Code of Support Foundation advisory board |last1= |first1= |date= |website=codeofsupportfoundation.org |publisher= |accessdate=5 June 2017}}</ref> |
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In 2016, Jacobs was inducted into the [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jack H. Jacobs |url=https://njhalloffame.org/hall-of-famers/2015-inductees/jack-jacobs/#:~:text=Woodbridge%2C%20N.J.%2C%20%26%20Long%20Hill%2C%20N.J.&text=A%20member%20of%20the%20school's,Stars%2C%20and%20two%20Purple%20Hearts. |website=New Jersey Hall of Fame |access-date=February 28, 2021}}</ref> In 2018, Jacobs delivered the [[Waldo Family Lecture on International Relations]] at [[Old Dominion University]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garvey |first1=Joe |title=NBC Analyst Delivers Strong Critique of U.S. Foreign Policy |url=https://www.odu.edu/news/2018/10/jack_jacobs_speech#.Yh1_t-jMLrc |access-date=February 28, 2021 |work=Old Dominion University |date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> |
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Jacobs is married to Sue Jacobs, has a grown daughter and two sons, and lives in [[Far Hills, New Jersey]]. He has also been a resident of the [[Millington, New Jersey|Millington]] section of [[Long Hill Township, New Jersey]].<ref name="nyt20000528"/> |
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==Awards and decorations== |
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In 2016, Jacobs was inducted into the [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]]''. |
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===Medal of Honor=== |
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[[File:Moh army mil.jpg|130px|center]] |
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{{center|<big>'''Jack Howard Jacobs'''</big>}} |
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{{center|'''Rank and organization:''' Captain (Then First Lieutenant), U.S. Army, Army Element, U.S. Military Assistance Command}} |
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{{center|'''Place and date:''' Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam, March 9, 1968}} |
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{{center|'''Entered service at:''' Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey}} |
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{{center|'''Born:''' August 2, 1945, Brooklyn, New York}} |
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'''Citation:''' |
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==Medal of Honor citation== |
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{{blockquote|For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Jacobs (then 1st Lt.), Infantry, distinguished himself while serving as assistant battalion advisor, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The 2d Battalion was advancing to contact when it came under intense heavy machine gun and mortar fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well fortified bunkers. As the 2d Battalion deployed into attack formation its advance was halted by devastating fire. Capt. Jacobs, with the command element of the lead company, called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Capt. Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position and established a defensive perimeter. Despite profuse bleeding from head wounds which impaired his vision, Capt. Jacobs, with complete disregard for his safety, returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded advisor to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander. Capt. Jacobs made repeated trips across the fire-swept open rice paddies evacuating wounded and their weapons. On 3 separate occasions, Capt. Jacobs contacted and drove off Viet Cong squads who were searching for allied wounded and weapons, single-handedly killing 3 and wounding several others. His gallant actions and extraordinary heroism saved the lives of 1 U.S. advisor and 13 allied soldiers. Through his effort the allied company was restored to an effective fighting unit and prevented defeat of the friendly forces by a strong and determined enemy. Capt. Jacobs, by his gallantry and bravery in action in the highest traditions of the military service, has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.''<ref name="citation"/><ref name=JHJ>{{cite web|title=Vietnam War - U.S. Army, JACK HOWARD JACOBS, Medal of Honor recipient|url=https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/jack-h-jacobs|website=cmohs.org|accessdate=July 3, 2022}}</ref>}} |
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Jacobs' official Medal of Honor citation reads: |
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===Commendations=== |
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<blockquote>''For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Jacobs (then 1st Lt.), Infantry, distinguished himself while serving as assistant battalion advisor, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Army . of the Republic of Vietnam. The 2d Battalion was advancing to contact when it came under intense heavy machine gun and mortar fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well fortified bunkers. As the 2d Battalion deployed into attack formation its advance was halted by devastating fire. Capt. Jacobs, with the command element of the lead company, called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Capt. Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position and established a defensive perimeter. Despite profuse bleeding from head wounds which impaired his vision, Capt. Jacobs, with complete disregard for his safety, returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded advisor to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander. Capt. Jacobs made repeated trips across the fire-swept open rice paddies evacuating wounded and their weapons. On 3 separate occasions, Capt. Jacobs contacted and drove off Viet Cong squads who were searching for allied wounded and weapons, single-handedly killing 3 and wounding several others. His gallant actions and extraordinary heroism saved the lives of 1 U.S. advisor and 13 allied soldiers. Through his effort the allied company was restored to an effective fighting unit and prevented defeat of the friendly forces by a strong and determined enemy. Capt. Jacobs, by his gallantry and bravery in action in the highest traditions of the military service, has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.''<ref name="citation"/></blockquote> |
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{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
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|colspan="12"|[[File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg]] |
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|- |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-leaf|ribbon=Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-leaf|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-leaf|name=Legion of Merit ribbon|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=0|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -83px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:"V" device, brass.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -43px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>{{Ribbon devices|number=1|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|type=oak|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=National Defense Service Medal ribbon|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -70px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -87px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -35px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=award-star|other_device=|ribbon=Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with palm.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Staff Service Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=106}}{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|colspan="12"| [[File:US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif|110px]] |
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|} |
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
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|- |
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!Badge |
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|colspan="12"|[[Combat Infantryman Badge]] |
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|- |
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!1st row |
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|colspan="4"|[[Medal of Honor]] |
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|colspan="4"|[[Silver Star]] <br>{{small|with 1 bronze [[Oak leaf cluster]] <br>(2 awards)}} |
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|colspan="4"|[[Legion of Merit]] |
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|- |
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!2nd row |
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|colspan="4"|[[Bronze Star Medal]] <br>{{small|with [["V" device]] and 2 [[Oak leaf cluster]]s <br>(3 awards, 1 with valor)}} |
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|colspan="4"|[[Purple Heart]] <br>{{small|with 1 [[Oak leaf cluster]] <br>(2 awards)}} |
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|colspan="4"|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] |
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|- |
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!3rd row |
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|colspan="4"|[[Air Medal]] |
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|colspan="4"|[[Army Commendation Medal]] |
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|colspan="4"|[[National Defense Service Medal]] |
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|- |
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!4th row |
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|colspan="4"|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] <br>{{small|with 4 bronze [[Campaign star]]s}} |
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|colspan="4"|[[Army Service Ribbon]] |
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|colspan="4"|[[Overseas Service Ribbon]] |
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|- |
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!5th row |
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|colspan="4"|[[Vietnam Cross of Gallantry]] <br>{{small|with palm}} |
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|colspan="4"|[[Vietnam Staff Service Medal]] <br>{{small|(First class)}} |
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|colspan="4"|[[Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mohconvention.com/recipient/91/jack-hjacobs/|title = Living Recipients | Medal of Honor Convention}}</ref><br>{{small|with "60-" clasp}} |
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|- |
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!Badge |
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|colspan="12"| [[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Basic Parachutist Badge]] |
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|} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal|Biography |
{{Portal|Biography}} |
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*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War#J|List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War]] |
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War#J|List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War]] |
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*[[List of Jewish Medal of Honor recipients]] |
*[[List of Jewish Medal of Honor recipients]] |
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*[[List of living Medal of Honor recipients]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<ref name="citation">{{Cite web |
<ref name="citation">{{Cite web |
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|url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html |
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|title = Medal of Honor recipients – Vietnam War (A–L) |
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|work = Medal of Honor citations |
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|publisher = [[United States Army Center of Military History]] |
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|date = August 3, 2009 |
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|access-date = September 3, 2010 |
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|archive-date = June 27, 2009 |
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|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090627093600/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html |
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|url-status = dead |
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}}</ref> |
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<ref name="brody">{{Cite web |
<ref name="brody">{{Cite web |
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|last = Brody |
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|first = Seymour |
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|title = Colonel Jack H. Jacobs: Medal of Honor recipient In Vietnam |
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|work = Jewish Heroes and Heroines in America |
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|publisher = [[Florida Atlantic University]] |
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|date = October 18, 2006 |
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|url = http://www.fau.edu/library/br131.htm |
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|access-date = September 3, 2010 |
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|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150202092123/http://www.fau.edu/library/br131.htm |
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|archive-date = February 2, 2015 |
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|url-status = dead |
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}}</ref> |
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<ref name="rutgers">[http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/Interviews/jacobs_jack.html INTERVIEW WITH JACK H. JACOBS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605174240/http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/Interviews/jacobs_jack.html |date=2008-06-05 }}, [[Rutgers University]], November 20, 2000. Accessed July 11, 2008. "JJ: ... Anyway, we moved to New Jersey in the mid-'50s, and my parents still live in the same house in Woodbridge. I went to Woodbridge High School, and then, from there, I went to Rutgers."</ref> |
<ref name="rutgers">[http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/Interviews/jacobs_jack.html INTERVIEW WITH JACK H. JACOBS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605174240/http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/Interviews/jacobs_jack.html |date=2008-06-05 }}, [[Rutgers University]], November 20, 2000. Accessed July 11, 2008. "JJ: ... Anyway, we moved to New Jersey in the mid-'50s, and my parents still live in the same house in Woodbridge. I went to Woodbridge High School, and then, from there, I went to Rutgers."</ref> |
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| last = Jacobs |
| last = Jacobs |
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| first = Jack |
| first = Jack |
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|author2= |
|author2=Douglas Century |
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|author2-link=Douglas Century |
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| title = If Not Now, When?: Duty and Sacrifice in America's Time of Need |
| title = If Not Now, When?: Duty and Sacrifice in America's Time of Need |
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| publisher = [[Penguin Group]] |
| publisher = [[Penguin Group]] |
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| date = May 28, 2000 |
| date = May 28, 2000 |
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| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE0D8173DF93BA15756C0A9669C8B63 |
| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE0D8173DF93BA15756C0A9669C8B63 |
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| |
| access-date = September 3, 2010 }}</ref> |
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<ref name="msnbcprofile">{{Cite web |
<ref name="msnbcprofile">{{Cite web |
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| title = Col. Jack Jacobs |
| title = Col. Jack Jacobs |
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| publisher = [[ |
| publisher = [[NBC News]] |
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| date = December 14, 2007 |
| date = December 14, 2007 |
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| url = |
| url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22262966 |
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| |
| access-date = September 3, 2010 }}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{commons category}} |
{{commons category}} |
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*{{Cite web | |
*{{Cite web |access-date=September 29, 2010 |url=http://www.cmohfoundation.org/ |title=Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation}} |
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*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/medal-honor/colonel-john-jack-jacobs-usa-retired/ Interview] at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]] on March 3, 2004 |
*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/medal-honor/colonel-john-jack-jacobs-usa-retired/ Interview] at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]] on March 3, 2004 |
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*{{Cite web | |
*{{Cite web |access-date=September 29, 2010 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26944322 |title=Excerpt of ''If Not Now, When?'' on MSNBC.com|website=[[NBC News]] |date=2 October 2008 }} |
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*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/medal-honor/colonel-john-jack-jacobs-usa-retired/ Interview] on ''If Not Now, When?'' at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]] on October 15, 2008 |
*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/medal-honor/colonel-john-jack-jacobs-usa-retired/ Interview] on ''If Not Now, When?'' at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]] on October 15, 2008 |
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*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/medal-honor/jack-jacobs-and-allen-j-lynch/ Interview] with [[Allen J. Lynch]] on ''Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty'' at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]] on November 19, 2011 |
*[http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/medal-honor/jack-jacobs-and-allen-j-lynch/ Interview] with [[Allen J. Lynch]] on ''Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty'' at the [[Pritzker Military Museum & Library]] on November 19, 2011 |
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*[http://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/decision-making-in-vietnam-and-beyond/ Interview] from the West Point Center for Oral History. See also www.westpointcoh.org |
*[http://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/decision-making-in-vietnam-and-beyond/ Interview] from the West Point Center for Oral History. See also www.westpointcoh.org |
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*{{C-SPAN| |
*{{C-SPAN|65726}} |
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Latest revision as of 18:31, 3 August 2024
Jack H. Jacobs | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) | |
| Born | August 2, 1945 Brooklyn, New York[1] |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–1987 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 505th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart (2) |
| Other work | Bankers Trust Council on Foreign Relations Medal of Honor Foundation NBC/MSNBC military analyst |
Jack Howard Jacobs (born August 2, 1945) is a retired colonel in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Vietnam War. He serves as a military analyst for NBC News and MSNBC and previously worked as an investment manager.
Early life
[edit]Born on August 2, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York,[2] Jacobs lived in Queens near LaGuardia Airport. He was born into a Jewish family,[3] with origins in Greece, Poland, and Romania.[4] As a child, he moved with his family to Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, in the mid-1950s and in 1962 graduated from Woodbridge High School.[5]
Jacobs then attended Rutgers University, where he earned both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. A member of the school's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program, he entered military service as a second lieutenant in 1966.[6]
Military service
[edit]In the course of his military career, Jacobs served as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division, a battalion executive officer in the 7th Infantry Division, and a battalion commander with the 10th Infantry Regiment in Panama. He spent two tours of duty in Vietnam, both times as an advisor to infantry units in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).[6]
In his first deployment to Vietnam, Jacobs served as a first lieutenant with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, in Kien Phong Province, part of the Mekong Delta region.[2][7] By March 9, 1968, he was working as the assistant battalion advisor for the ARVN's 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. During a mission on that day, the 2nd Battalion came under intense fire from an entrenched Viet Cong force. As Jacobs called in air support from his position with the leading company, the company commander was disabled and the unit became disorganized due to heavy casualties.[2]
Although wounded himself by mortar fragments to the head and arms, Jacobs took command of the company and ordered a withdrawal and the establishment of a defense line at a more secure position. Despite impaired vision caused by his injuries, he repeatedly ran across open rice paddies through heavy fire to evacuate the wounded, personally saving a fellow advisor, the wounded company commander, and twelve other allied soldiers. Three times during these trips he encountered Viet Cong squads, which he single-handedly dispersed. He was subsequently promoted to captain and awarded the Medal of Honor.[2] The medal was formally presented to him by President Richard Nixon.[7]
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Jacobs received two Silver Stars, three Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts in Vietnam.[3] In his memoir, Jacobs recounts that he had to use subterfuge to return to a combat role in Vietnam after being awarded the Medal of Honor, as the military was unwilling to assign Medal of Honor recipients to combat roles.[8]
Jacobs was a faculty member at the United States Military Academy in West Point, teaching international relations and comparative politics for three years, from 1973 to 1976, and at the National War College in Washington, D.C. He retired from the army in 1987 as a colonel.[6]
Business career and later life
[edit]After his military retirement, Jacobs began a career in investment banking. He founded and was chief operating officer of AutoFinance Group, Inc., which dealt in the securitization of debt instruments. The company was later sold to KeyBank. He next worked as a managing director of Bankers Trust, overseeing the firm's foreign exchange options and being involved in the institutional hedge fund business until leaving the company in 1996. Jacobs is a principal in The Fitzroy Group, an investment and residential real estate development organization which operates in London. He is also on the board of directors for several smaller corporations.[6]
Jacobs maintains involvement in several military-related organizations. He is vice chairman of the Medal of Honor Foundation, a member of the board of trustees for the National World War II Museum, and holds the McDermott Chair of Politics at the U.S. Military Academy.[6]
In October 2008, the Penguin Group published Jacobs' memoir, If Not Now, When?: Duty and Sacrifice In America's Time of Need, coauthored with New York Times best-selling author, Douglas Century, with a foreword by NBC Nightly News anchor and managing editor Brian Williams. The book won the 2010 Colby Award, recognizing a "first work of fiction or nonfiction that has made a significant contribution to the public's understanding of intelligence operations, military history, or international affairs."
In May 2012, Thomas Dunne Books published Jacobs' Basic: Surviving Boot Camp and Basic Training, co-written with David Fisher. The book is a history of the American military's basic training told mainly through oral histories of those who have gone through Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force initial training.
Jacobs is also a military analyst for NBC/MSNBC. In 2009, he appeared on The Colbert Report as part of the Doom Bunker segment. He currently serves on the board of advisors of the Code of Support Foundation, a nonprofit military service organization.[9]
Jacobs is married to Sue Jacobs, has a grown daughter and two sons, and lives in Far Hills, New Jersey. He has also been a resident of the Millington section of Long Hill Township, New Jersey.[7]
In 2016, Jacobs was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.[10] In 2018, Jacobs delivered the Waldo Family Lecture on International Relations at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.[11]
Awards and decorations
[edit]Medal of Honor
[edit]
Jack Howard Jacobs
Rank and organization: Captain (Then First Lieutenant), U.S. Army, Army Element, U.S. Military Assistance Command
Place and date: Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam, March 9, 1968
Entered service at: Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey
Born: August 2, 1945, Brooklyn, New York
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Jacobs (then 1st Lt.), Infantry, distinguished himself while serving as assistant battalion advisor, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The 2d Battalion was advancing to contact when it came under intense heavy machine gun and mortar fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well fortified bunkers. As the 2d Battalion deployed into attack formation its advance was halted by devastating fire. Capt. Jacobs, with the command element of the lead company, called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Capt. Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position and established a defensive perimeter. Despite profuse bleeding from head wounds which impaired his vision, Capt. Jacobs, with complete disregard for his safety, returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded advisor to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander. Capt. Jacobs made repeated trips across the fire-swept open rice paddies evacuating wounded and their weapons. On 3 separate occasions, Capt. Jacobs contacted and drove off Viet Cong squads who were searching for allied wounded and weapons, single-handedly killing 3 and wounding several others. His gallant actions and extraordinary heroism saved the lives of 1 U.S. advisor and 13 allied soldiers. Through his effort the allied company was restored to an effective fighting unit and prevented defeat of the friendly forces by a strong and determined enemy. Capt. Jacobs, by his gallantry and bravery in action in the highest traditions of the military service, has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.[2][1]
Commendations
[edit]
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| Badge | Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||||||||
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| 1st row | Medal of Honor | Silver Star with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster (2 awards) |
Legion of Merit | |||||||||
| 2nd row | Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and 2 Oak leaf clusters (3 awards, 1 with valor) |
Purple Heart with 1 Oak leaf cluster (2 awards) |
Meritorious Service Medal | |||||||||
| 3rd row | Air Medal | Army Commendation Medal | National Defense Service Medal | |||||||||
| 4th row | Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze Campaign stars |
Army Service Ribbon | Overseas Service Ribbon | |||||||||
| 5th row | Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm |
Vietnam Staff Service Medal (First class) |
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal[12] with "60-" clasp | |||||||||
| Badge | Basic Parachutist Badge | |||||||||||
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Vietnam War - U.S. Army, JACK HOWARD JACOBS, Medal of Honor recipient". cmohs.org. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Medal of Honor recipients – Vietnam War (A–L)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ a b Brody, Seymour (October 18, 2006). "Colonel Jack H. Jacobs: Medal of Honor recipient In Vietnam". Jewish Heroes and Heroines in America. Florida Atlantic University. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ Sandra Stewart Holyoak (November 20, 2000). "Interview with Colonel Jack Jacobs". Rutgers University Press. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ INTERVIEW WITH JACK H. JACOBS Archived 2008-06-05 at the Wayback Machine, Rutgers University, November 20, 2000. Accessed July 11, 2008. "JJ: ... Anyway, we moved to New Jersey in the mid-'50s, and my parents still live in the same house in Woodbridge. I went to Woodbridge High School, and then, from there, I went to Rutgers."
- ^ a b c d e "Col. Jack Jacobs". NBC News. December 14, 2007. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ a b c James, George (May 28, 2000). "COMMUNITIES; Those Whom We Honor". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ Jacobs, Jack; Douglas Century (October 2008). If Not Now, When?: Duty and Sacrifice in America's Time of Need. New York: Penguin Group. p. 200. ISBN 978-0-425-22359-8.
- ^ "Code of Support Foundation advisory board". codeofsupportfoundation.org. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Jack H. Jacobs". New Jersey Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ Garvey, Joe (October 4, 2018). "NBC Analyst Delivers Strong Critique of U.S. Foreign Policy". Old Dominion University. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "Living Recipients | Medal of Honor Convention".
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jack H. Jacobs.
- "Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation". Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- Interview at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library on March 3, 2004
- "Excerpt of If Not Now, When? on MSNBC.com". NBC News. 2 October 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- Interview on If Not Now, When? at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library on October 15, 2008
- Interview with Allen J. Lynch on Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library on November 19, 2011
- Interview from the West Point Center for Oral History. See also www.westpointcoh.org
- Appearances on C-SPAN
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
Categories:
- 1945 births
- Living people
- United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
- United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
- American broadcast news analysts
- Military personnel from Brooklyn
- People from Far Hills, New Jersey
- People from Long Hill Township, New Jersey
- Military personnel from Queens, New York
- People from Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
- Romaniote Jews
- American people of Greek-Jewish descent
- American people of Polish-Jewish descent
- American people of Romanian-Jewish descent
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
- Rutgers University alumni
- United States Army colonels
- Jewish Medal of Honor recipients
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor
- American male journalists
- Journalists from New York City
- American chief operating officers
- Jewish American military personnel
- Woodbridge High School (New Jersey) alumni
- 21st-century American Jews
- Military personnel from New Jersey