William Robert Jackson
Corporal, U.S. Army

Jackson was a veteran of World War II.

In February 1951, then-Private First Class William Robert Jackson was serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 9 February, PFC Jackson's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Kunom-ni, North Korea, and Company C had the mission of seizing and securing Hill 584. As the company neared the crest of the hill, an estimated two battalions of enemy troops launched a counterattack against the hill and Company C was forced to withdraw. PFC Jackson, a machine-gunner, voluntarily remained in an exposed position in order to place effective fire on the advancing enemy and furnish covering fire for the withdrawal of his company. PFC Jackson was killed when his position was overrun by the enemy but his heroic stand enabled Company C to withdraw with minimum casualties. When the position was later reclaimed by friendly forces, it was found that PFC Jackson's machine-gun fire had accounted for more than 150 enemy dead. These actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Jackson received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class William R. Jackson (ASN: ER-33722215), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private First Class Jackson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kunom-ni, Korea, on 9 February 1951. On that date, Company C had the mission of seizing and securing Hill 584 near Kunom-ni. As the company neared the crest of the hill, an estimated two battalions of enemy troops launched a counterattack against the hill and the friendly forces were forced to withdraw. Private Jackson, a machine-gunner in the company, voluntarily remained in an exposed position in order to place effective fire on the advancing enemy and furnish covering fire for the withdrawal of his company. Although he was killed when his position was overrun by the enemy, his heroic stand enabled his company to accomplish a successful withdrawal with minimum casualties. When the position was later regained by friendly forces, it was found that his withering machine-gun fire had accounted for more than 150 enemy dead.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 415 (June 9, 1951)

Burial

Corporal William Robert Jackson is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 12, Site 8202.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49236109