Gilder D. Jackson Jr.

Gilder Davis Jackson Jr. (July 5, 1893 – February 19, 1966) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general, who is most noted for his service as commanding officer of the 6th Marine Regiment during the Guadalcanal Campaign.

Early career

Gilder D. Jackson Jr. was born on July 5, 1893, in Dover, Delaware. He attended Wenonah Military Academy in Wenonah, New Jersey, and graduated in 1912. Jackson later joined the Marine Corps on April 17, 1917, and was commissioned second lieutenant on the same date. He attended the basic training at Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina and was assigned to the 18th Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment stationed at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia. Jackson was appointed platoon leader within his company and sailed for France in June 1917.

Navy Cross Citation

Action Date: 18 July 1918 Name: Gilder D. Jackson Jr. Service: United States Marine Corps Rank: Captain Company: 43rd Company Regiment: 5th Marines Division: 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major [then Captain] Gilder D. Jackson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-469), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 43d Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., near Vierzy, France, in action early on the morning of 18 July 1918. As Second in Command of the 43d (F) Company, Fifth Marines, while on a mission to establish liaison with a neighboring unit, Major Jackson discovered an enemy battery firing on our supporting tanks from a position concealed in a wheat field. With a splendid display of initiative and leadership, he gathered together a few men whom he organized and most skillfully and gallantly led against this position, capturing many prisoners, including two officers, four pieces of artillery, two mobile trench mortars and undoubtedly saved to the battalion by his timely act the five undamaged tanks that played such an important role in the later action.

Together with 8th Marines under Richard H. Jeschke, Jackson and his troops encircled 4th and 16th Regiments from 2nd IJA Division under General Masao Maruyama and subsequently killed 642 Japanese troops with only capturing two. Then they reached the Cape Esperance, where Japanese units were withdrawing from Guadalcanal. After the island was declared secured at the beginning of February 1943, 6th Marines were ordered to the camp in the beach area, for hot showers and some rest. Unfortunately a lot of men from 6th Marines have infected with malaria during the fighting on Guadalcanal and Colonel Jackson was no exception.

After the 6th Marines were ordered back to New Zealand on February 19, 1943, and Jackson was placed in hospital. He was found unfit for combat duty and relieved by his executive officer, Lt. Colonel Lyman G. Miller on April 13, 1943. At least a small satisfaction for him was a decoration with Legion of Merit with Combat "V".

He was subsequently ordered back to the United States together with Brigadier General Alphonse DeCarre, who had the same troubles with malaria and spent almost month in the Naval Hospital, San Diego, before he was appointed Area Inspector of the Fleet Marine Force in the San Diego area under the command of Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith in July 1943. Jackson served in this capacity until April 1944, when he was transferred to the Marine barracks at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington. He completed his career as commanding officer of the Marine Corps Base San Diego from January 3 to July 28, 1946. Jackson was relieved by Brigadier General Leo D. Hermle and subsequently retired from the Marine Corps on December 1, 1946. He was also advanced to the rank of brigadier general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.