Robert C. Jackson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Robert C. Jackson of Duluth enlisted in the Naval Reserve V-12 college program on November 21, 1942.
He transferred to a Midshipman's school at Columbia University and was commissioned as an Ensign at the amphibious training base in Calif.
He served aboard the USS Navarro (APA 215) as officer in charge of an amphibious boat crew. He transported Marines and cargo from the West Coast and Hawaii to various islands such as the Philippines, Guadalcanal, British Solomons, Russel Islands, Ulithi, Caroline Islands, Mariannas, and Guam.
He participated in the assault and invasion of Okinawa. The Navarro landed occupation troops on various Japanese islands. After VJ day he transported military units to China, Japan, and the Philippines.
He served next as assistant First Lieutenant aboard the seaplane tender USS Currituck (AV-7).
He was released from active duty in June of 1946 and returned to Duluth, Minnesota. He later became executive officer of Surface Division 9-108 and then commanding officer of Fleet Division 911 in Duluth.
He retired as a Lieutenant Commander on July 1, 1966.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 124.
