Memorials › PFC Andrew Jackson "Jack" Long Jr
PFC Andrew Jackson "Jack" Long Jr
5 Apr 1921 – 23 Jun 1984
| Birth | 5 Apr 1921 |
| Death | 23 Jun 1984 |
| Cemetery | Fairmount Cemetery San Angelo , Tom Green County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | OldSoul-Progressive Spirit on 24 Oct 2015 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40106527 |
Bio
Andrew Jackson (Jack) Long Jr. was born in Ballinger, Texas 5 Apr 1921, the firstborn son of Andrew Jackson Long and Sallie Howell. He attended one year of high school at Ballinger before finding a job to help his father support the family. He enlisted in Company C of the Texas National Guard on 25 Nov 1940 which became the 36th Division of the 142nd Infantry Regiment and was assigned service number 20804865. Mobilized as part of the distinguished 36th Texas Infantry Regiment on the 25th of December 1940 with active-duty station at Camp Bowie, in Brownwood. He took part in the Louisiana Maneuvers in 1941, trained at Camp Blanding, Florida, and Camp Edwards, Massachusetts. In April 1943, he shipped off to the European theatre, taking part in the Invasion of Salerno, Mt. Lungo, San Pietro and the Rapido River in Italy. Slight of build but scrappy and unwavering, he was noted for his unwillingness to ever turn back. With Company C, he performed combat duty in North Africa, France, and Italy. While in Italy, his conduct was awarded the Silver Star Medal in 1944. The citation reads as follows: "Jack A. Long, 2084865, Private First Class for gallantry in Action on 1 June 1944 in the vicinity of Velletri, Italy. During an enemy counter-attack, a group of six enemy soldiers crawled very near Private First-Class Long's machine gun emplacement and, by their selection of positions, prevented his directing effective fire on them. When the riflemen supporting his position were forced to set up new defense, he was left at an unprotected, forward point exposed to enemy fire. The hostile soldiers began throwing hand grenades at his emplacement, and Private First Class Long answered with accurately hurled hand grenades. He forced the enemy to withdraw to a position where he could deliver effective machine gun fire on them and completely crushed the attack. His gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered the Service from Ballinger, Texas." He also received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained by a grenade and carried shrapnel in his body until he passed. Following the 36th Texas' capture of Field Marshall Herman Goering, Jack was assigned guard duty over the infamous prisoner. After spending nearly five years in the service, Jack was discharged from military service 25 Jun 1945 and returned to Ballinger. He married Virginia Sanders on 1 Mar 1946. Two sons were born to this union, Ronald & Terry. Relocating to San Angelo after a brief stint in Coleman, he got a job with Holsum Bakery driving a delivery route. He passed away 23 Jun 1984 in San Angelo and is interred in Fairmount Cemetery. ~ Compiled for publication in Vol. 6 of "Veterans of Runnels County" by Zebulon Long
Photos
Family
Parents
Spouse
Siblings
- Sibyl Louise Long Watkins 1919–2012
- SGT Chester Aubrey "C.A." Long 1922–2012
- Infant Daughter Long 1925–1925
- SN Billie Joe Long 1926–1971
- SN Oliver Raymond "O. R." Long 1929–2015
- Rev Charles Rayburn Long Sr 1935–2020
Children
Export GEDCOM
This person only · Entire connected family