Little J. Jackson

Service & Sacrifice

Little Jay Jackson was born on August 31, 1941, and grew up in San Pablo, California, in Contra Costa County. He came from a family with a deep tradition of military service. His brothers served in World War II, and his mother served during the Korean War. He enlisted in the United States Army and trained as a medical specialist.

SP5 Jackson was assigned to Detachment B-52, Project Delta, 5th Special Forces Group, serving as a medical NCO. He began his tour in Vietnam on February 25, 1968, arriving in-country during the chaotic aftermath of the Tet Offensive.

Just ten days into his tour, on March 7, 1968, SP5 Jackson was killed in action by small arms fire in Thua Thien Province. He was 26 years old.

His family remembers him as a wonderful man whose sacrifice was felt across generations. His daughter grew up hearing stories about her father, and in 2013, his grandchildren were able to visit his grave for the first time.