Col Jack Jacobs Luncheon

Chapter Honored by Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Jack Jacobs at June 2004 Luncheon

Over forty Members and guests enjoyed great fellowship and a tremendous presentation by Major General Perry Smith, USAF (ret.) and Col. Jack Jacobs, USA (ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient. General Smith made a fine introduction by describing Col. Jacobs’ acts of heroism in Vietnam. Col. Jacobs’ citation reads in part, Jacobs “(then 1st Lt.), Infantry, distinguished himself while serving as assistance battalion advisor, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The 2d Battalion was advancing to contact when it came under intense heavy machinegun and mortar fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well fortified bunkers. As the 2d Battalion deployed into attack formation its advance was halted by devastating fire. Capt. Jacobs, with the command element of the lead company, called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewal attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Capt. Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position and established a defensive perimeter. Despite profuse bleeding from head wounds which impaired his vision, Capt. Jacobs, with complete disregard for his safety returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded advisor to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander. Capt. Jacobs made repeated trips across the fire-swept open rice paddies evacuating wounded and their weapons. On 3 separate occasions, Capt. Jacobs contracted and drove off Viet Cong squads who were searching for allied wounded and weapons, single-handedly killing 3 and wounding several others.” General Smith reported that Jacobs ultimately carried 25 men off the battlefield and out of danger.

Jacobs told a handful of great war stories with a tremendous sense of humor. He kept the audience laughing with his descriptions of machine gunning rats for dinner (leaving very little to eat), inattentive cows (nearly) crossing a battlefield, and of his intense flashbacks…not of the war, but of his high school girlfriend.

Jacobs promoted the Medal of Honor Foundation, an organization established by the MOH Society, of which he is a board member. He personally signed books for those who bought them, and the funds went directly to the Foundation. The attractive “coffee table” book highlights the accomplishments of the living MOH recipients.

(Article by Matt Kirby '94)

For more information on Col. Jacobs, click on:

Col Jacob's Bio

Present at the June 2004 luncheon were George O'Connell '35, Bill Brewster '42, Jim Ravenel '45, Ed Flynn '51, Bill Rentz '55, Mike Miller '56, Carl McCallum '60, Teb Bowman '63, Bill Williams '65, Will Wood '66, Jon Barton '66, Dick Borowiec '68, Ed Scirdberg '68, Les Gable '70, Mark S. Smith '74, Ples Bruce '77, Shaun Bradley '78, Mike Luciano '82, Susan Luciano '82, Dave DeJarnette '82, Mary McElroy '87, Cindy Miller '90, Brian Pilger '93, Jason Van Mater '94, Matthew Kirby '94, Tony Sibert (USAFA '89), Jim Stapleton (USMA '64), Jeff Plank (USMA '85), Jeff Beamon (USMA '94), Lloyd Taliaferro (VMI '94), Harley Jones (Navy League), Gen. Larry Taylor, USMC (Guest), Al Martin (Guest), Darryl Overall (Guest), Karen Campbell (Guest), and Bradley Smith (Guest).

Click on a thumbnail image to view a full sized picture.

Chapter President Bill Rentz '55 presents Col Jack Jacobs with his personalized Atlanta Chapter Apron.

Major General Perry Smith wears his Atlanta Chapter Apron, and Bill Rentz '55.

Chapter Elects Board of Directors Members for Next Term

At the June 2004 luncheon, the Chapter elected its newest slate of officers. The slate had been submitted to the Chapter by the nominating committee of Steve Frederick ‘72 (chairman), Carl McCallum ’60, and Bob Schultz ‘71 at the May luncheon. The slate was posted and announced again at the Lobsterfest. There were no dissenting votes or objections at the election. Congratulations to our new board members! If you would like to get involved with the chapter, please let one of the Board Members know…there is plenty of work to go around!

Officers returning for a second one-year term are:

President:
Bill Rentz ‘55

Vice President:
Steve Frederick ‘72

Director- Membership:
Dick Fitzgerald ‘62

Director - Brigade Support:
Stew Caldwell '65

Directors - General:
Joe Frazar '65
Mitch Rowland '71
Lee Whitfield '71

New incoming officers for the next one-year term are:

Treasurer:
Eric Busko ‘88 (relieves Nick Ward '74)

Secretary:
Mary McElroy ‘87 (relieves Matt Kirby '94)

Directors - General:
Matt Kirby ‘94
Linda Bolan ‘83
Paul Borer ‘70
Ples Bruce ‘77
Terry McElroy ‘86

Past Presidents and Area Blue & Gold Coordinator:

Also serving on the Board of Directors are all past Chapter Presidents who are still members of the Atlanta Chapter and our area Blue & Gold Coordinator.

Past Presidents:
Bob Schultz ’71
Bob Bush ’65
Mike Donohoo ‘65
Paul Hurst ‘62
Carl McCallum ‘60
Jim Ravenel ‘45

Blue & Gold Officer Area Coordinator:
Cindy Miller '90

The following Board Support Positions are appointed by the Board, not elected:

Webmaster:
Bob Schultz ‘71

Database Administrator:
Mike Herger ‘90

Academy Awareness Rep:
Tim Phillips '89

Alumni Career Support - Academy Connect Rep:
Bill Miller '88

Alumni Career Support - Career Transition Network Rep:
Gehrig Wiles '74