On March 19, 1945, PFC Harry Jackson Sr. was assigned to a machine gun squad (3/3) on a defensive perimeter on the black sands of Iwo Jima.
During the night, enemy soldiers were able to infiltrate the perimeter and throw a grenade into the foxhole shared by Jackson and 3 other Marines.
When Jackson saw the grenade, he didn't hesitate. He took off his helmet, placed it on the grenade and covered it with his body. The ensuing explosion shot his helmet into another foxhole 15 feet away.
Harvey Ellis, one of the Marines in Jackson's foxhole, was blown halfway out of the hole and took shrapnel to his back and hip. Another, Troy Gardner, was unscathed.
Jackson suffered significant injuries from the explosion, including the amputation of his left leg, right arm and the loss of his left eye. But he survived.
For his actions, he was awarded the Silver Star.
Jackson adjusted to civilian life, had a family, a good job until passing away in 2007.
Twenty-seven other service members received the MOH on Iwo Jima, with at least 7 awarded for a similar action. It is believed that he wasn't awarded the Medal simply due to clerical error and lack of an officer witnessing the event.
To this day, petitions to have him upgraded are still on going.
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