Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Colonel Joe M. Jackson

March 14,1923 - January 12, 2019

— Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Inductee - 1997 —

Colonel Joe M. Jackson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Thomas Smith, October 5, 2021

1. Colonel Joe M. Jackson Marker

Inscription. Mobility warrior and national hero, Col. Jackson was awarded the Medal Of Honor, for his actions on 12 May 1968 at U. S. special forces camp at Kham Duc, South Vietnam. Piloting his C-123 at 9,000 feet over the camp , he began a rapid descent to rescue three combat controllers (CCT) who had been left behind during the evacuation of the camp. Wreckage of three aircraft was strewn across the runway limiting the available runway to 2,200 feet, stopping next to the hiding CCT, the aircraft began taking machine gun and mortar fire from the NVA troops who now had control of Kham Duc. As the aircraft turned around for departure the CCT jumped aboard. Col Jackson applied power and after less than one minute on the ground, the aircraft safely departed.

Erected by Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1968.

Location. 38° 32.415′ N, 89° 51.817′ W. Marker is in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, in St. Clair County. Marker is on Main Street just east of Symington Drive, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is

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at or near this postal address: 101 Heritage Dr, Scott Air Force Base IL 62225, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pioneers of Aerial Refueling (here, next to this marker); Gen Robert E. "Dutch" Huyser (here, next to this marker); Maj Gen Cyrus R. "C. R." Smith (a few steps from this marker); Col Gail S. Halvorsen (a few steps from this marker); The Airlift / Tanker Association (a few steps from this marker); MSGT Roy W. Hooe (a few steps from this marker); General Thomas M. Ryan Jr. (a few steps from this marker); General Duane H. Cassidy (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scott Air Force Base.

Photographed By Thomas Smith, October 5, 2021

2. Colonel Joe M. Jackson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.