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Cranston Fine Arts  Aviation Art and Artists World War Two Veteran Signatures United States L  Lucas, Jack |
[UP] - Laird, Dean - Lamar, Hi - Lamb, Huie - LaMond, Charles - Landry, Robert - Lane, Charles - Lawley, William - Layher, Robert - Leighton, Charles - LeMay, Curtis - Lewis, Robert - Litsinger, D - Loberg, Edwin - Loch, Harold - Loisel, John - Long, Maurice - Lopez, Don - Lopez, Edward - Losch, Fred - Losonsky, Frank - Loving, George - Lowell, John - Lucas, Jack - Lucas, William - Luckadoo, John - Lundy, C - Lutz, Samuel |
Jack Lucas USMC MOH
Born in Plymouth, N.C., on February 14th, 1928, Lucas was a 13-year-old cadet captain in a military academy when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Jacklyln Jack Lucas was just six days past his 17th birthday in February 1945 when his heroism at Iwo Jima earned him the nations highest military honor. He used his body to shield three fellow squad members from two grenades, and was nearly killed when one exploded. He passed away on Thursday May 1st 2008 in a Hattiesburg, Miss. hospital. He was 80.
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| Medal of Honor |
| Jack Lucas USMC MOH - Signed Aviation Art |
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| Text for the above items : |
Iwo Jima - A Hard Won Haven by John D Shaw. Only 660 miles from Tokyo, the small volcanic island of Iwo Jima was recognized as early as 1943 as being a vital location to secure an airbase for allied aircraft, in order to achieve victory in the Pacific. Forseeing this goal, the Japanese began extensive fortifications early, preparing for the eventual onslaught. Within Iwo Jimas myriad tunnels, both underground and within the extinct volcano known as mt Suribachi, enemy forces were able to remain virtually unscathed during the 72 day heavy bombardment in late 1944, which preceded the American landings. In mid Ferbuary 1945, the invasion landing forces arrived, and so began one of the bloodiest and most bitter battles of World War II. Over the course of the next 36 days, the United States Marine Corps would experience many of its most horrific hours, but certainly their finest as well. Marine photographer Joe Rosenthals shot of Old Glory being hoisted aloft atop Suribachi came to be recognized as possibly the most famous photo in history. During the first week of March, the first B-29 to make an emergency landing at Iwo touched down. With its nose art bearing the name Dinah Might, this Superfortress and its crew were hastily repaired, aided and again took to the air within half an hour. Many others soon would follow. Shown here, a B-29 of 34th Bomb Group limps in to Iwos runway number one as emergency crews prepare for more incoming planes, some of which would inevitably have to ditch in the water offshore to avoid an explosive pileup. It is estimated that nearly 25,000 airmen lives would ultimately be spared as a result of being able to make emergency landings there. Nearly 7000 Marines died taking Iwo, with many thousands awarded, the largest number during any single campaign. Of the 23000 Japanese troops defending Iwo, only 1083 were taken prisoner. By the beginning of April, Iwo Jima was secure enough to base P-51 Mustangs to escort the B-29s to Japan, as allies prepared for the frightful prospect of a land invasion on Japans mainland, which historians speculate would likely have cost potentially millions more lives. At this time, more than 60 years after the battle, only a small remnant remains of those who participated first hand in this epic battle. Forever a sympbol of freedom, Iwo Jima remains truly sacred ground. |
| Jack Lucas USMC MOH Aircraft details |
| Jack Lucas USMC MOH Squadron details |
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