4 things to know about Leland's only service member killed in Vietnam

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
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John E. Jacobs was the only service member from Leland killed in the Vietnam War.
John E. Jacobs was the only service member from Leland killed in the Vietnam War.

Leland veterans honor and remember John E. Jacobs, who died while serving in the Vietnam War.

"John would have been 75 years old this year, yet he still inspires us, and we want to ensure that the community that raised this wonderful young man will always remember his sacrifice,” American Legion Post 68 Commander John Hacker said in a recent news release.

An Army infantryman, Jacobs was the only service member from Leland listed as a casualty in the Vietnam War.

John E. Jacobs' life

Jacobs was born Dec. 4, 1947, in Leland to John and Mildred Jacobs. He was a 1967 graduate of what was formerly known as Lincoln High School. He was a devout member of Hoopers' Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Jacobs was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1968. He was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division as a combat infantryman and departed for Vietnam in September 1968.

Posthumously awarded the Purple Heart

On patrol in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, Oct. 1, 1968, Jacobs and his unit was ambushed, and was killed by small arms fire. While his time in service was brief, he gallantly served our nation.

More:Leland Korean War veteran awarded Purple Heart after almost 70 years

Jacobs was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and was laid to rest in his family’s private cemetery near the family home on Hooper Road, where a memorial now marks the resting place of their hero. He was also awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

Jacobs is listed on panel 42W, line 057 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

Ceremony honoring Jacobs

On July 4, 2005, Leland held a ceremony honoring Jacobs.

"He was my mentor," said Jacobs' nephew, Command Sergeant Major Charles Holliday Sr., during the ceremony. "He was someone I looked up to. Today, I am an American soldier because of Private First-Class John Edwin Jacobs."

Honoring John E. Jacobs on Memorial Day in 2019. The same year, the Leland American Legion Post 68 was renamed the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68. Jacobs was the only Leland resident who was killed while serving in the Vietnam War.
Honoring John E. Jacobs on Memorial Day in 2019. The same year, the Leland American Legion Post 68 was renamed the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68. Jacobs was the only Leland resident who was killed while serving in the Vietnam War.

American Legion Post 68 changes its name

The Leland American Legion Post 68 was renamed after Jacobs in 2019.

More:American Legion Post 68 Leland changes name to honor local soldier

Each year on Memorial Day, Post 68 members join the Jacobs family for a flag placement ceremony at his final resting place.

The John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 is one of the state's fastest growing and will continue to honor Jacobs as it continues to provide support for local veterans, youth and the Leland community.

More:Honor Flight: 96-year-old Brunswick veteran recognized for service on 'heartwarming' trip

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 4 things to know about Leland's only service member killed in Vietnam