Wilton A. Jackson was born in Springfield Illinois on July 2, 1917 to his parents Charles and Zora Jackson. He had 4 brothers. He was married to his wife, Margaret before 1940. He enlisted in the Navy in Chicago on September 1, 1942. He trained at Great Lakes, and reported aboard the Honolulu on October 17, 1942. He was promoted to FC3C on September 1, 1944.
On October 20, Honolulu was hit in the port side by a Japanese torpedo plane. A number were killed and wounded, an Jackson was listed as missing. His body was recovered and positively identified on October 30, 1944. A telegram was sent to his wife dated November 1, 1944 listing him as MIA. Jackson was initially buried in the Pacific. At his wife's request, his remains were returned to Springfield, Illinois in 1948. The Vancil Funeral Home handled the arrangements. He was to be buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, but the Cemetery shows no record.
The group consists of Jackson's officially engraved Navy Type 2 Purple Heart with its short titled display case, plus internet research, St. Louis records and IDPF files.
SOLD to a collector 04-2021
