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Charles Loyd Jackson was born in Worthington, MO, and lived in eight states before he was in the third grade. With two years at the Citizens Military Training Camp, he knew his career by the end of high school. After three years at Pacific University, he entered West Point and plunged immediately into the inferno of Beast in July 1934. During that hectic month, Jim Taylor and he decided to become roommates. Bert Harrison joined them Yearling year, and there began a lifetime of friendship.</p>
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Chuck was a sincere, pleasant, and determined cadet. Physical strength and superb coordination gave him his claim to fame; as one of the very few who could pole vault 13 feet, he co-held the Academy record. His agility made him an excellent gymnast, with tumbling his specialty. When he stood at the end of the runway before charging into his round off, he would take a deep breath and expand his naturally enormous chest. Men would groan with envy, and the girls would scream with delight. He was a major athletic weekend attraction!</p>
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Academically, Chuck was comfortably in the middle of his class. He lettered all four years in track and gymnastics, made numerals in football Plebe year, and was on the Ring Committee four years. Militarily, he became successively cadet corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant and brought great credit to the high standards of the Cadet Corps. Chuck reported to Ft. Benning, where he married Dottie Butler in May 1939.</p>
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In 1941, he was assigned to the 12th Infantry, promoted rapidly to lieutenant colonel and given command of the 1st Battalion. In January 1944, the 1st Battalion sailed to England, and was billeted at Camp By-Pass. Simple orders were issued: "Get your billets and surroundings in satisfactory condition; then train, train, train." Training began immediately, including several battalion-level amphibious assaults. The final exercise was the infamous division assault on the beaches at Slapton Sands.</p>
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The 1st Battalion was assigned to land on Utah Beach and secure its objective in a gap between the 8th and 22d Infantry. Heavy artillery was expected, and Chuck had planned to clear the beach area quickly. As they neared Normandy, they were 4,000 yards south of the planned site, and the beach was receiving a heavy shelling When they approached within 200 yards, the artillery suddenly stopped. Chuck could see that a single road inland through the inundated area had been cleared of mines. The choice was to use the less tiring, time-consuming road inland with companies in trail, or go across the inundated area battalion abreast. He realized the flooded area was at least two-feet deep with hidden, deep irrigation ditches which could be deadly for loaded infantrymen. Nevertheless, he chose the harder overland route. It turned out to be the right decision. Immediately after they moved inland, the Germans resumed their intense artillery bombardment of the beach, but the 1st Battalion had already cleared the area.</p>
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On D-1, while stopped by machine gun fire, Chuck saw BG Roosevelt sauntering toward him. He said, "Well, Chuck, how are things going?" After a quick briefing, Teddy said, "Let’s go up to the front." Chuck replied, "Sir, we are in the front line. See those two men (50 yards away)? They are the front line, the leading scouts of Company A." Teddy replied, "Let’s go talk to them," and they did. It seemed that BG Roosevelt and Chuck were cut of the same cloth, leading by example every step of the way.</p>
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After VE Day, Chuck remained in Germany in Military Government, returning home in August 1947 for CGSC. Afterward, he used his combat experience and "new found knowledge" as an instructor at the Infantry School until August 1951, when he was promoted to colonel and attended the AFSC.</p>
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The first of three accompanied advisory tours followed: Japan (1953-55), Taiwan (1958-60), and Viet Nam (1963-65). In Saigon, Chuck and Dottie were first-hand observers of the 1965 coup, watching the firefights from their veranda until a shell fragment landed at their feet and they moved inside.</p>
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The Army again smiled on Chuck. After the AWC (1955-56), he assumed command of the 26th Infantry, which later was reorganized as the 1st Battle Group, 26th Infantry.</p>
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He earned his Liver Badge in the Office of Management and Analysis (1960-63) and served his final tour as the USARPAC G-5 (1965-68). While in Tripler for his retirement physical, Chuck introduced his ward nurse to his son Chuck II, who was convalescing from wounds. Chuck II quickly incorporated Judy into the family.</p>
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After six months of retirement, Chuck put on the harness for a six-year tour as a civil servant for Hawaii. After several more years in Honolulu, the Jacksons relocated to Charleston, SC, to be near his sister and brother-in-law. Chuck later moved to be with his son and daughter-in-law in Pennsylvania after Dottie passed away in 1992.</p>
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Ghuck was exceptionally proud of the 12th Infantry and lived the 12th’s motto of "Led by love of Country" which, for him, was a natural flow of "Duty Honor Country." He contributed significantly to the regiment’s combat record and was the only Infantry battalion commander in the 4th Division who commanded the same battalion on VE Day that he had commanded on D Day. Chuck earned the CIB, DSC, LM, SSM, PH, three BSM, French <em>Croix de Guerre avec palm,</em> Belgium Fourragere of Leopold, Viet Nam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class, and other awards and decorations. Chuck was mentioned in many books on WWII but was especially proud of two writings. In autographing his book <em>History of the 12th Infantry Regiment in WWII,</em> Gerden Johnson wrote: "To Chuck Jackson—who inspired his officers and men of the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry to heroic deeds—with affection which mere words cannot describe. "The second was in a letter from the regimental commander, COL Red Reeder: "Chuck, You are the best combat leader I saw in three theaters of WWII."</p>
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He epitomized by example that we must "endeavor to live above the common level of life" and "chose the harder right instead of the easier wrong." West Point, the 12th Infantry, and his family values defined his life. Chuck died a peaceful death at the age of 87. He is survived by his sister Mary Crocker; his son Charles II, Class of ’64, and his wife Judy; two grandchildren: Joan and Chris; and three great-grandchildren: Vincent, Brooke, and Holly.</p>
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He cherished them all, and they he.</p>
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<em>Charles L. Jackson II and Jim Taylor</em></p>