Charles Ream Jackson (1898–1971) was an American Marine, best known for his posthumously published memoir I Am Alive: A United States Marine's Story of Survival in a World War II Japanese POW Camp.
Charles R. Jackson | |
|---|---|
_in_the_1921_West_Point_yearbook.png) As a West Point cadet | |
| Born | July 14, 1898 Petersburg, Virginia |
| Died | May 4, 1971 (aged 72) San Diego, California |
| Occupation | United States Marine |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | memoir |
| Spouse |
Margaret MacRae (m. 1949) |
| Personal details | |
| Awards |  Silver Star Purple Heart |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Army United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1919–1925 1927–1951 |
| Rank | Sergeant major |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Biography
editCharles R. Jackson was born in Petersburg, Virginia on July 14, 1898.[1] He attended Virginia Military Institute, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. From there he attended West Point and graduated in 1919. He then served in the United States Army, resigning his commission in 1925 to join the United States Marine Corps, where he enrolled in 1927 as a private.[2]
While fighting in the Battle of Corregidor in the spring of 1942, he was captured by the Japanese and interned as a POW for three years.
After the war, he was appointed a commissioned warrant officer in the Marine Corps. He married Margaret MacRae on April 7, 1949.[1]
He retired on November 1, 1951, due to eye problems caused by vitamin deficiencies he experienced as a prisoner of war.[1]
He died in San Diego, California on May 4, 1971.[1]
Ranks
editMilitary medals and ribbons
edit|
|
Silver Star |
|
|
Purple Heart |
Writings
editCharles R. Jackson's plain account of his experiences as a P.O.W. of the Japanese was edited by military historian Major Bruce Norton USMC (Ret.) and published posthumously in June 2003. Among other topics from Jackson's notes that were assembled were accounts of inhumanity and deadly situations, including forced marches.
Sources
edit- Jackson, Charles; Bruce H. Norton (2003). I Am Alive!: A United States Marine's Story of Survival in a World war II Japanese POW Camp. Presidio Press. ISBN 0-345-44911-8.
- Morris, Eric (2000). Corregidor: The American Alamo of World War II. Cooper Square Press. ISBN 0-8154-1085-9.
References
edit- ^ a b c d Assembly. Vol. 31. United States Military Academy Association of Graduates. 1972. pp. 103–104. Retrieved December 19, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ Cullum, George Washington (1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890. Vol. VI-B: 1910–1920. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. p. 2109. Retrieved December 19, 2022 – via Google Books.