11 Feb 2001 In 1967, Henry began his tour of duty in South Vietnam. He was assigned the demanding duties of a helicoptor gunner/observer, a role that frequently exposed him to the dangers inherent in taking the war to the enemy. On May 18, 1968, while conducting airborne reconnaissance of enemy bunker complexes near Dak To, Henry's helicoptor was brought down by enemy fire. Henry was wounded and badly burned about his lower body and legs and as a result of these injuries was never again able to walk. Henry died in the Veterans Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 28, 1970. When the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C., was dedicated, Henry should have been included. As a result of Henry's platoon leader's efforts, Colonel Charles Rayl, Henry's name was added to the names on the Vietnam Veterans Monument in Washington, D.C., on May 31st, 1999. Henry's name is on Panel 62 East, Row 18. From his cousin, Gary D. Jackson

 

May 31, 1999 Sergeant Henry Jackson was one of five people added to The Wall during this Memorial Day Ceremony. Jackson is buried at Jackson Cemetery, Laurel Hill, near Pineville Kentucky. Delia Wilson, his sister, was an official guest of the ceremony. On a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Charlie Rayl discovered that Sergeant Henry Jackson's name is not listed. He knew Jackson, A Troop Scout Observer, died as a result of May 1968 wounds in a VA Hospital in 1971. Charlie decided to correct this mistake. He contacted the office responsible for the memorial and located Jackson's sister. Charlie assisted her in obtaining and completing the required documentation. Approval was given last December to add Jackson's name to the memorial. A brief description of the action: A/7/17 Cav reported their Scouts performed a BDA for a B-52 strike. They received heavy AW fire and one LOH crashed and burned on impact. His wing landed in an endeavor to rescue the crew; however, he soon came under fire. A medevac ship was called in to rescue the three men. The pilot of the first LOH, CW2 Douglas W. Walker, was killed on impact. Due to the large NVA force in the area, neither LOH could be extracted. Three air strikes were called into the area, however, the results could not be assessed. The Honor Roll section states Walker's aircraft received heavy AW fire. While returning the fire, his aircraft was shot down at ZB827285, killing him. The source for this information was A/7/17 CAV 4 FEB 67 - 31 DEC 68 Unit History Visit the 17th Air Cav's Henry Jackson Memorial

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