Jack, 96, served in the United States Army during WWII as a forward observer and radio operator in his artillery, serving in the 308th Field Artillery Battalion, 78th Infantry Division. He fought bravely in the following campaigns and battles: Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Remagen Bridge while being stationed all across England, France, Belgium, and Germany. Jack attained the rank of a T5 Corporal by the time of his discharge in 1946.
In 2015 Jack received the French Legion of Honor, which is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits. Jack is very proud of his service, and at the time the National WWII Museum in New Orleans was being built, Jack donated the necessary amount to become a Charter Member but has never had the opportunity to go there. He stated that it would allow him to, “see what so many of us did and had to go through during WWII.
After he was discharged from the military, Jack spent 47 years as a pro-bono lawyer. He also spent 14 years volunteering at a local school. Currently residing at Brookdale North Boynton Beach, Jack still gives back to others by showing new residents around the facility and sitting with them at dinner as they acclimate to their new home. He is such a caring individual that everyone takes to him instantly.
Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale were humbled and proud to honor Jack’s years of service to his country and lifetime of volunteering by sending him to the WWII Museum from December 4th-7th – accompanied by his son Seth, his nephew Allen, and his grandson Tyler. “My son, grandson, and nephew who were with me told me that the stories I told them when I finally spoke of the war came to life when they saw the film and all of the exhibits. The walkie-talkie radio I carried, the telephone wire we laid, the two piece helmet we wore and the M1 I carried.” A very special thanks to the National WWII Museum.
Photo credit: Jeff Strout Photography
