Jake W. Lindsey
Encyclopedia
Jake William Lindsey, Sr., (May 1, 1921 – July 18, 1988) was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in World War II
.
, and by November 16, 1944 was serving as a technical sergeant
in the 16th Infantry Regiment
, 1st Infantry Division. On that day, near Hamich, Germany
, he held a position in front of his platoon during an enemy counterattack and, although wounded, engaged a group of Germans in hand to hand combat
. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later.
Lindsey is unique among Medal of Honor recipients in that he personally received his medal before a joint session of Congress. President Harry Truman and Gen. George C. Marshall presented Lindsey with his award on May 21, 1945.
Lindsey later served in the Korean War
and left the Army while a second lieutenant. He died at age 67 and was buried in Whitehouse Cemetery, Clara, Mississippi
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Lindsey joined the Army from Lucedale, MississippiLucedale, Mississippi
Lucedale is a city in George County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,458 at the 2000 census...
, and by November 16, 1944 was serving as a technical sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Technical Sergeant is the name of one current and two former enlisted ranks in the United States military.-United States Air Force:Technical Sergeant, or Tech Sergeant, is the sixth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant. A technical sergeant is...
in the 16th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 16th Infantry Regiment is a regiment in the United States Army.-Formation:The 34th Infantry Regiment and 11th Infantry Regiment consolidated into the 16th Infantry Regiment on 3 March 1869. The 11th Infantry's history prior to the consolidation is normally included with the 16th's.-U.S...
, 1st Infantry Division. On that day, near Hamich, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, he held a position in front of his platoon during an enemy counterattack and, although wounded, engaged a group of Germans in hand to hand combat
Hand to hand combat
Hand-to-hand combat is a lethal or nonlethal physical confrontation between two or more persons at very short range that does not involve the use of firearms or other distance weapons...
. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later.
Lindsey is unique among Medal of Honor recipients in that he personally received his medal before a joint session of Congress. President Harry Truman and Gen. George C. Marshall presented Lindsey with his award on May 21, 1945.
Lindsey later served in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and left the Army while a second lieutenant. He died at age 67 and was buried in Whitehouse Cemetery, Clara, Mississippi
Clara, Mississippi
Clara is an unincorporated community in Wayne County, Mississippi, United States. It is located at ....
.
Medal of Honor citation
Technical Sergeant Lindsey's official Medal of Honor citation reads:For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on November 16, 1944, in Germany. T/Sgt. Lindsey assumed a position about 10 yards to the front of his platoon during an intense enemy infantry-tank counterattack, and by his unerringly accurate fire destroyed 2 enemy machinegun nests, forced the withdrawal of 2 tanks, and effectively halted enemy flanking patrols. Later, although painfully wounded, he engaged 8 Germans, who were reestablishing machinegun positions, in hand-to-hand combat, killing 3, capturing 3, and causing the other 2 to flee. By his gallantry, T/Sgt. Lindsey secured his unit's position, and reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.