Gilder D. Jackson Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gilder Davis Jackson Jr.
Gilder D. Jackson as colonel, USMC
Born	(1893-07-05)July 5, 1893 Dover, Delaware
Died	February 19, 1966(1966-02-19) (aged 72) Coronado, California
Buried	Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1917–1946
Rank	Brigadier general
Service number	0-469
Commands held	MCB San Diego 6th Marine Regiment The Basic School
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Soissons Battle of Saint-Mihiel Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge Meuse-Argonne Offensive Yangtze Patrol Haitian Campaign World War II Attack on Pearl Harbor Battle of Guadalcanal Solomon Islands campaign
Awards	Navy Cross Legion of Merit Silver Star Purple Heart (2)

Gilder Davis Jackson Jr. (born July 5, 1893 – died February 19, 1966) was a very brave officer in the United States Marine Corps. He reached the rank of brigadier general, which is a high-ranking officer. He is best known for leading the 6th Marine Regiment during the tough Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II.

Becoming a Marine Officer

Gilder D. Jackson Jr. was born in Dover, Delaware, on July 5, 1893. He went to a military school called Wenonah Military Academy and finished in 1912.

Jackson joined the Marine Corps on April 17, 1917. On the same day, he became a second lieutenant, which is a junior officer rank. He went through basic training at Marine Barracks Parris Island in South Carolina. After training, he joined the 18th Company, 2nd Battalion, of the 5th Marine Regiment in Quantico, Virginia. Jackson became a leader for a small group of soldiers, called a platoon. In June 1917, he sailed with his unit to France to fight in World War I.

Bravery in World War I

In June 1918, Jackson was a first lieutenant and led his platoon during the Battle of Belleau Wood. He was shot in the cheek while bravely attacking an enemy machine gun. Even though he was hurt, Jackson kept fighting and reached his goal. For his courage, he received the Silver Star, a special award for bravery.

Jackson quickly got better and was promoted to captain. He then joined the 43rd Company, 2nd Battalion. In July 1918, he fought with great skill in the Battle of Soissons. He managed to take out an enemy artillery position near the town of Vierzy and captured many enemy soldiers, including two officers. For these actions, Jackson was given the Navy Cross, another very high award for heroism. He also received the French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm from the French government.

Captain Jackson later fought in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and was wounded again. But he recovered and was back for the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in October 1918. He led the 20th Company, 3rd Battalion, in this battle. He also commanded this unit during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in November 1918, which was one of the last big battles of the war.

Between the World Wars

After World War I ended, Jackson stayed in the Marine Corps. He served with the American forces that occupied Germany for a time. He was the second-in-command of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment there.

In July 1919, he returned to the United States and worked at a Marine Corps recruiting office in St. Louis, Missouri. He stayed there until 1923. After that, Jackson was assigned to the Marine unit on the battleship USS Tennessee. He also served in China and Haiti as part of the First Brigade of Marines. These were times when the U.S. Marines helped keep peace in different parts of the world.

Later, he attended an advanced training course at the Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1935, Jackson was transferred back to the 5th Marine Regiment in Quantico, Virginia. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1936. He then took command of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. In June 1937, he became the commander of The Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico, which trains new Marine officers.

World War II Service

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Colonel Jackson was stationed in Hawaii. He was the commanding officer of the local Marine Barracks. However, he was on a ship called the USS Indianapolis heading to Johnston Atoll to watch tests of a new type of landing boat.

In August 1942, he was transferred to Camp Elliott in California. There, he took command of the 6th Marine Regiment. His regiment then sailed with the 2nd Marine Division to the South Pacific in October 1942, arriving in Wellington, New Zealand.

Fighting on Guadalcanal

Jackson's regiment trained for combat and then arrived on Guadalcanal in January 1943. They were sent to replace the 2nd Marine Regiment, which had been fighting hard since August 1942 and had lost many soldiers. The 6th Marines then took part in the final attacks on the island, including the Battle of Gifu.

Working with the 8th Marines, Jackson and his troops surrounded two Japanese regiments. They fought bravely, killing many enemy soldiers and capturing a few. They then reached Cape Esperance, where Japanese units were trying to leave Guadalcanal.

After Guadalcanal was declared secure in early February 1943, the 6th Marines went to a camp for rest. Unfortunately, many soldiers, including Colonel Jackson, got malaria during the fighting.

The 6th Marines were ordered back to New Zealand on February 19, 1943. Jackson was put in the hospital because of his malaria. He was found unable to continue combat duty and was replaced by his second-in-command, Lt. Colonel Lyman G. Miller, on April 13, 1943. For his service, he received the Legion of Merit with a Combat "V", which is given for heroic actions in battle.

Later Service and Retirement

Jackson was sent back to the United States. He spent almost a month in the Naval Hospital, San Diego, recovering from malaria. In July 1943, he was appointed Area Inspector for the Fleet Marine Force in the San Diego area. He served in this role until April 1944.

He was then transferred to the Marine barracks at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington. He finished his career as the commanding officer of the Marine Corps Base San Diego from January 3 to July 28, 1946. Jackson retired from the Marine Corps on December 1, 1946. He was also promoted to the rank of brigadier general on the retired list because he had been specially recognized for his bravery in combat.

Gilder D. Jackson Jr. passed away on February 19, 1966, in Coronado, California. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with his wife, Vesta Elliot Jackson. They had one son, Gilder D. Jackson III.

Awards and Decorations

Here are the awards Brigadier General Gilder D. Jackson Jr. received for his service: