An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
Rest in Peace
Medal of Honor winner Lucas dies at 80
Jack Lucas, who at 14 lied his way into military service during World War II and became the youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, died Thursday in a Hattiesburg, Miss., hospital. He was 80.
Now days, 14 years old are lying their way out of some trouble or other.
Jacklyn “Jack” Lucas was just six days past his 17th birthday in February 1945 when his heroism at Iwo Jima earned him the nation’s highest military honor. He used his body to shield three fellow squad members from two grenades, and was nearly killed when one exploded.
I know there are young men and women of honor, but we just don’t hear about them anymore. Instead, our newspapers and tv’s are filled with stories and images of those who wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on a soldier if he/she were on fire. Shameful.
He was left with more than 250 pieces of shrapnel in his body and in every major organ and endured 26 surgeries in the months after Iwo Jima.
He was the youngest serviceman to win the Medal of Honor in any conflict other than the Civil War.
His youth made him a news item. But I have no doubt this man would have done the same thing if he were 10 years older at the time. A true man of honor and courage.
As Texas Fred said: Attention on Deck! A real American Hero has passed from this earth, Heaven has a new Marine protecting the Gates…
