CORPORAL FRED T. JACKSON
SERVICE No. 7922614
AWARDED MILITARY MEDAL
The
following account is a direct copy of a war correspondents report of the
incident in which Corporal Fred Jackson saved his tank and the Infantry
position
7922614
Corporal F. Jackson
Awarded
Military Medal
On 6 August
1944 on the high ground at Le Bas Perrier, Corporal Jackson was commander
of a 17 pr. accompanied his Tp Ldr. Forward to assist the Inf. who were
being attacked by an enemy Tiger. This he did despite the fact that he
knew his vehicle was faulty and likely to break down.
To get to our
own Inf. Cpl Jackson had to pass through the forward elements of the
enemy. Unfortunately his tank broke down in the middle of them.
He did
however, have a limited field of fire which prevented the Tiger from
advancing.
Despite the
continual fire to which he was subjected Cpl. Jackson remained in his tank
and manned his guns.
When his
troop leader was told to rejoin the Sqn. Cpl Jackson was told by his Sqn
Ldr that as he was unable to start, and as he was cut off, he could
destroy his vehicle and withdraw.
He refused to
do so and dismounted from his tank, attached the tow rope and guided his
troop leader to him and with his assistance got his tank started and
rejoined the Sqn.
By remaining
in his position, Cpl. Jackson certainly prevented the enemy Tiger from
attacking the Inf. position and its consequent effect.
The above
account was submitted by Peter Jackson
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