Papers and photographs, 1942-1954.

ArchivalResource

Jackson, John D., 1921-1943. Papers and photographs, 1942-1954.

Papers and photographs, 1942-1954.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/550640923

Manuscripts and photographs pertaining to the service of John D. Jackson, a Chicago, Illinois resident who served as a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 8th Air Force during World War II and was killed in action during a bombing run over Germany. The collection includes materials pertaining to Jackson's training as a pilot, and also those regarding his death. Manuscripts pertaining to his training include letters written to his parents, personal diary, military records, certificates, and training materials. In the letters, Jackson talks about his training, asks about the family, and gives his impressions of life in the military. One letter (December 20, 1942) mentions seeing Jimmy Stewart, who trained in the same unit as Jackson while stationed at Hobbs Army Airfield (Hobbs, New Mexico). The diary includes entries about daily activities during his training, along with some records of his flight training. Manuscripts pertaining to Jackson's death include official notifications from the Army, letters written to his parents from friends and Jackson's fellow airmen, and various newspaper clippings. An interesting letter was written by Henry Farmer, who was a crewmember of Jackson's during his last flight, recounts the events just prior to the plane being shot down and Farmer bailing out over Germany. Another letter was written by Keith Rich, a fellow pilot who had been shot down and taken prisoner prior to Jackson being killed in action. Also included is a letter from Rich's parents to Jackson's parents, which includes a typed transcript of a letter Jackson had written concerning Rich being taken as a prisoner of war. Other records include telegrams and letters sent to his parents regarding his disappearance and death, a letter regarding the location of Jackson's grave in Germany, and notification of the transfer of his remains to the United States in 1948. There is also a letter from the British government regarding the presentation of a book honoring American servicemen who had been killed in action while stationed in England. The book, entitled "Britain's Homage," has been separated into the Wisconsin Veterans Museum library collection. Oversized materials include certificates, newspaper articles, and a drawing of a B-17 with Jackson's name written on the nose. Photographs include portaits of Jackson posing in uniform, group images taken while in training, and Jackson posing next to training aircraft while wearing flight gear. An oversized photograph of his training unit at Hobbs Army Airfield, featuring Jimmy Stewart, is also included. Jackson's only brother, Ashby N. Jackson, served as a gunner on a bomber in the Navy during World War II, and later served as a drill sergeant in the Marine Corps from 1950 to 1954. Ashby later settled in Barronett, Wisconsin after his service in the military. A photograph of Ashby in his Marine Corps uniform is included in the collection.

Papers : 0.4 linear ft. (1 archives box and 3 oversized folders) and.Photographs : 0.2 linear ft. (1 archives box and 1 oversized folders)

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center