Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Otto
Jackson
, Jr.
August 15, 1918

–

April 19, 1992

Born:

Converse

, 

Louisiana

Home:

Converse

, 

Louisiana

During World War II, Willie Jackson became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1967 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 16, 1945
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 80 (May 28, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Otto Jackson, Jr. (ASN: 0-424754), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action on 16 April 1945. After escorting bombers to the objective, Colonel Jackson led a group of P-51 fighters in search of strafing targets. Locating an airdrome with approximately seventy (70) parked planes, he quickly sized up the tactical situation and made a daring pass over the field to draw fire from the gun emplacements. Although his plane sustained numerous hits, Colonel Jackson, completely ignoring the terrific ground fire, made seven (7) successive sweeps across the airdrome before withdrawing. The fact that his group destroyed forty (40) and damaged twenty-seven (27) enemy aircraft, four (4) of which were personally destroyed by Colonel Jackson, is an outstanding tribute to his combat skill, courage, and brilliant leadership.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Willie O. Jackson, Jr. (ASN: 0-424754), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Commanding Officer and a Fighter Pilot of the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Willie O. Jackson, Jr. (ASN: 0-424754), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Commanding Officer and a Fighter Pilot of the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Willie O. Jackson, Jr. (ASN: 0-424754), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Commanding Officer and a Fighter Pilot of the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    352d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, General Orders No. 5 (January 28, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Willie O. Jackson, Jr. (ASN: 0-424754), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during as a Fighter Pilot in the 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the European Theater of Operations World War II. Major Jackson has accomplished fifty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which Major Jackson has sought out the enemy and engaged him in aerial combat, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.