Richard L. JACKSON

NEWPORT NEWS - Richard L. Jackson, Command Sgt. Major, U.S. Army, (retired), passed away from natural causes, on Jan. 5, 2011,at the age of 80.
He was the widower of Marilyn Marie Shively Jackson, his wife of 57 years. Beloved father, grandfather, friend and mentor to many people who knew him, he had a loving heart and was always willing to give a helping hand or a piece of advice to one and all. He will be truly missed by his family and friends. We miss you Dad, with love always.
Dick Jackson was born on March 4, 1930, in Fremont Ohio. He was an only child and did a lot of farm work and milked a lot of cows. Mr. Jackson graduated from William Ross High School in 1948. He enlisted in the Army and attended Basic Training in Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky home of the 101st Airborne Division. He attended Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia followed by Ranger School. Eight months later he was assigned to the 11th Infantry in Japan, and in 1950 was assigned to the 1st Cavalry and joined them in Korea. He served as an infantry platoon sergeant through the major events of the war, and his unit conducted the retrograde from the central part of South Korea to the Pusan Perimeter. Following the Incheon landing they fought their way north to the Anju River, where his unit was attacked by Chinese mounted cavalry. Mr. Jackson was wounded three times in Korea; he was hit with a concussion grenade, a mortar round landed near him, and he was hit by enemy fire in his left arm. Following the third incident, Mr. Jackson was sent to a Field Artillery unit, where he was assigned as a Forward Observer and sent forward to be with the infantry. He returned from Korea to a training assignment with 5th Infantry Division in Indiantown Gap, Pa., served as a PSG for a basic training company, and was discharged from the Army in 1952.
On Jan. 12,1952, he married Marilyn Shively, and spent the next 10 years working construction and driving a race car. In 1962 he was missing the Army and decided to enlist again, this time as an aviation maintainer. He attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Aviation Maintenance Training at Fort Rucker then was assigned to the 1st Aviation Company at Fort Rucker. Mr. Jackson served in both Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing assignments in Fort Hayes, Ohio and Fort Richardson, Alaska before being assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington and leaving on his first of three tours as an aviation First Sergeant in Vietnam. Following his third tour he served as 1SG of the fixed wing division at Fort Eustis. He returned to Korea in 1974 this time as an Aviation 1SG. He returned from Korea to a SGM position advising the Virginia National Guard then came to Fort Eustis to serve as the USAALS and transportation school Command SGM.
Mr. Jackson retired from active duty on April 1, 1985, after completing 29 years of service, completing four combat tours and receiving three Purple Hearts. Dick began his 26 years of federal civil service career the following October working in New Systems, and then came to DATT.
Mr. Jackson worked on several Denbigh community boards, was heavily involved in Virginia MADD organization since 1992 serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and most recently as President for 10 yrs. He served as Vice Chairman of MADD Virginia State and worked at this level to help get laws changed. He was recently honored by Drive Safe Hampton Roads with the John T. Hannah Award. In May 2009, Peninsula Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) recognized him for his unfailing support and participation in the Victim Impact Panels held monthly and participated every month for 3 years, missing only two. He participated in numerous Safety Day events at Fort Monroe and Fort Eustis promoting safety awareness in the community and also participated in Safety Stand Down for the USS Ronald Reagan.
Dick Jackson leaves to cherish his memory his loving family, including his son, Richard Michael and wife, Tracy, and their sons, Chad and Kyle and their two daughters, Heather and Kendal; son, John Alan and wife, Penny, and their son, Richard Wayne, and their two daughters, Crystal and Dawn; daughter, Sandra; three great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons.
A memorial service with military honors will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at Fort Eustis Regimental Chapel.
Arrangements are under the care of Altmeyer Funeral Home, Denbigh Chapel, Newport News, Va. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.