M.M.C. Jackson Parker Center enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 20, 1936 after he graduated from Reidland High School in Paducah, KY.
As a young sailor on board the U.S.S. Oklahoma, he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor after being trapped inside the ships hull inside a pitch black compartment for 42 hours after the attack. He was the last sailor to be rescued alive from the Oklahoma after she capsized in less than 15 minutes after the attack on Pearl Harbor began on December 7th, 1941. He recalled never knowing how much time had elapsed after the attack began and when he was pulled from the wreckage two days later he still thought it was the evening of Sunday, December 7.
He was also on the L.S.T 615 during the D-Day invasion. As his boat approached the beach under heavy enemy fire, the crew of the landing craft jumped off one side of the boat while Jackson jumped off the opposing side. Jackson's decision was a life-saving one-all of those who jumped on the opposite side of Jackson were killed when enemy fire rained down on their position, leaving Jackson to be the lone survivor of the LST 615 on June 6, 1944.
His lengthy career in the Navy ended when he retired on April 4, 1957, accumulating over 21 years of service and unforgettable memories that we were fortunate to learn about when his family recently visited the Home of the Brave Museum. His legacy, love and dedication to defending freedom in the United States will remain forever memorialized in our museum with his stories and photos donated by his family to help us share and remember Jackson Parker Center, one of the finest World War II Veterans we honor.
A loving Grandfather and a great man! I miss him dearly. Thank you to all the veterans for your service to this great country. Im very proud of Jack and I send my prayers to the spirit of his life.
ReplyDelete- Declan Centers
Jack was my grandma Edna Center's nephew. His dad was Percy Center from Paducah, KY, was he not?
DeleteI had only known about his harrowing experience surviving the attack of Pearl Harbor, he must have had nerves of steel to continue to serve even after narrowly escaping being killed during the D-Day Invasion as well! He was my dad's cousin, and I will always remember listening with awe to the story of his survival, he was very humble about his experiences, I usually heard the story told by others, not him. I am thankful he survived so many close-calls, and grateful for his service.
ReplyDelete- Michele Mayor Angel