World War 2 Talk - View Single Post - Youngest WWII Marine to Get Medal of Honor Dies

SSGMike.Ivy · 05-06-2008, 06:30 PM

Marine Who Got Medal of Honor at 17 for WWII Service Dies at 80

JACKSON, Miss. — Jack Lucas, who at 14 lied his way into military service during World War II and became the youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, died Thursday in a Hattiesburg, Miss., hospital. He was 80.

Ponda Lee at Moore Funeral Service said the funeral home was notified that Lucas had died during the pre-dawn hours at Forrest General Hospital. He had been battling cancer. Lee said funeral arrangements were incomplete.

Lucas was just six days past his 17th birthday in February 1945 when his heroism at Iwo Jima earned him the nation's highest military honor.

05-06-2008, 06:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
SSGMike.Ivy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 99	Youngest WWII Marine to Get Medal of Honor Dies Marine Who Got Medal of Honor at 17 for WWII Service Dies at 80 JACKSON, Miss. — Jack Lucas, who at 14 lied his way into military service during World War II and became the youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, died Thursday in a Hattiesburg, Miss., hospital. He was 80. Ponda Lee at Moore Funeral Service said the funeral home was notified that Lucas had died during the pre-dawn hours at Forrest General Hospital. He had been battling cancer. Lee said funeral arrangements were incomplete. Lucas was just six days past his 17th birthday in February 1945 when his heroism at Iwo Jima earned him the nation's highest military honor. __________________ SSGMike.Ivy Vietnam Veteran D Co 3/8th 4th Infantry Division "Steadfast and Loyal" October 1968-October 1969 US Army Retired 1998