Foundation Encourages the Remembrance of an American Hero During the Nation's Troubled Times
The Jacob and Donald A. De Haven Memorial Foundation for Youth Advocacy & Justice, Inc., is encouraging the honoring and remembrance of one of our Nation's greatest American Heroes, Mr. Jack Lucas of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who died this past June 5, 2008. The youngest Marine in history and the youngest soldier in this century to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, Jack Lucas had just turned 17 when he threw himself on two grenades, saving the lives of three fellow Marines during the second day of battle on the sands of Iwo Jima.
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 6, 2009 -- Jack Lucas was only 14 years old when he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942, because he falsified his enlistment papers to show he was 17. Three years later, just five days after he actually turned seventeen, he was in his second day of combat at Iwo Jima.
Forty-thousand Marines made the initial landing at Iwo Jima, suffering 5,320 casualties in the first day alone. One of the most bitter fought battles of World War II, 27 Americans received Medals of Honor for their heroism on the small Pacific Island from February 19 to March 16th, 1945. Only 13 of these Medal recipients, with an average age of 23 years, survived to wear their Medal. Jack Lucas, at age 17, became the youngest American in this century from any branch of service, to receive our Nation's highest Honor.
In 1995 at the President's State of the Union Address, the World War II Hero received a standing ovation from the United States Congress upon President Clinton's introduction:
"The last person I want to introduce is Jack Lucas from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Jack, would you stand up?... (ovation)...
Fifty years ago in the sands of Iwo Jima, Jack Lucas taught and learned the lessons of citizenship. On February 20, 1945, he and three of his buddies encountered the enemy and two grenades at their feet. Jack Lucas threw himself on both of them. In that moment he saved the lives of his companions and miraculously in the next instant a medic saved his life. He gained a foothold for freedom, and at the age of 17, just a year older than his grandson, who is up there with him today, and his son, who is a West Point graduate and a veteran, at 17 Jack Lucas became the youngest Marine in history and the youngest soldier in this century to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. All these years later, yesterday, here is what he said about that day. 'Didn't matter where you were from or who you were, you relied on one another. You did it for your country. We all gain when we give and we reap what we sow. That's at the heart of this New Covenant, responsibility, opportunity and citizenship, more than stale chapters in some remote civics book, they are still the virtue by which we can fulfill ourselves and reach our God-given potential and be like them, and also to fulfill the eternal promise of this country, the enduring dream from that first and most sacred covenant. I believe every person in this country still believes that we are created equal, and given by our Creator the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is a very, very great country and our best days are still to come.'" - President William J. Clinton, The State of the Union Address, January 24, 1995.
The Jacob and Donald A. De Haven Memorial Foundation for Youth Advocacy & Justice, Inc.
228 Park Ave S, #29575
New York, NY 10003
p: 202.609.7305
f: 888.272.5976
www.dehavenjusticefoundation.org
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