A Tribute to William Henry "Jack" Jackson of Henry County, Kentucky

Submitted By his Grandaughter, Diane L. Clark

My grandfather, William Henry Jackson (known as Jack to his friends and family) was born in Bedford but reared in Sulphur by his grandparents, Wm. and Margarett Jackson. His mother, Mary Pecar Jackson, died while he was a very young child ( his father was Joseph Jackson).  At the age of 16, he left his home in Sulphur and lied about his age (forging his father's signature on a permission form) to enlist in the Navy. He served a total of 45 years  and received a letter from the President of the United States, commending him for it.  In the United States Navy, he served as a gunner's mate in WW1, and in WW2, he taught Naval ROTC as a Chief Gunner's Mate at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.  He was proud of his Henry Co. roots and grandparents as well as being a career Navy man.