House Resolution 1

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED MILITARY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OF MR. O.D. JACKSON, FROM NESHOBA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, WHO SERVED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS IN WORLD WAR II.

WHEREAS, experts say the nation is losing 372 World War II veterans, commonly referred to as the Greatest Generation, each and every day, and only an estimated 495,000 remain out of over

16 million who served; and

WHEREAS, the five oldest sons of William Jefferson and Mary Elizabeth Jackson all served during World War II, were all born and grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and all came home from the war, and the five brothers, O'Neil, Jeffie, Lawson, Fulton and Otha Dill (O.D.) served in different theaters of operations and all had contrasting duties in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, in addition to these five patriots of the United States, there were three younger brothers who served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict along with three sisters who remained stateside and supported their brothers in the war effort; and

WHEREAS, of these 11 siblings, two brothers and two sisters are alive and remain as citizens of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, O.D. (Otha Dill) Jackson, born January 11, 1925, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, enlisted in the United States Army on June 29, 1943, at Camp Shelby, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations as a rifleman and truck driver with the First Cavalry Division from February 1944 to April 1945, he participated in the Campaigns of New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, and the Invasion of Leyete and Luzon, Philippine Islands, he was wounded in action (Japanese sniper fire) in the right knee near the outskirts of Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, February 15, 1945, was discharged at Camp Stoneman, California, November 8, 1945 (combat disability) and was awarded a Purple Heart Medal that was presented at an ROTC Ceremony at Mississippi State University in 1946; and

WHEREAS, after the war Mr. Jackson came back to Philadelphia and married the love of his life, Edna Earl, on July 1, 1950, and they were married for 56 years before she passed away in 2006; and

WHEREAS, he operated and managed the Neshoba County Gin Association for over 35 years, a farmer's feed and supply cooperative that served farmers not only in Neshoba County, but across Central Mississippi, and Mr. Jackson also began raising prized watermelons and vegetables on his farm in the Dixon Community of Neshoba County, which he continues today, and he is known in Neshoba County for his knack of producing watermelons of colossal size where he is often mimicked, but yet to be imitated; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson remains active in community affairs in Neshoba County, having been named its Citizen of the Year in 2010, he is a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and served as local Adjutant of the American Legion, in which he is still involved; served as State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and remains active; he is a spirited member of the Philadelphia Rotary Club, where he can be found each Monday arriving early and visiting with his fellow Rotarians; Mr. Jackson for many years has organized the local Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs in Philadelphia, for which the community is most grateful; and

WHEREAS, Mississippians understand the costs of conflict, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the gallant service of Mr. O.D. Jackson, who is a guardian of this great democracy and freedom that we enjoy today:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the distinguished military and community service of Mr. O.D. Jackson from Neshoba County, Mississippi, and wish him a Happy 94^th Birthday today and extend the thanks of a grateful country and state to him and his family on this occasion for his service to the United States of America.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Mr. O.D. Jackson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.