Jack Lummus

Andrew Jackson Lummus, Jr. (October 22, 1915–March 8, 1945) was a two-sport athlete at Baylor University who fought, and died, at Iwo Jima during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service.

Biography

He was born in Ellis County, Texas on a cotton farm. He attended Ennis High School from September of 1931 through May of 1934, where he was a star in football and track. He finished his high school education at Texas Military College, then he enrolled at Baylor University from the fall of 1937 thru the spring of 1941, when he graduated. At Baylor, he was an all-conference center fielder for three years and an outstanding end on the football team.

After leaving Baylor in 1941, he signed with the New York Giants football team. He made the team as a rookie end, but saw limited playing time. Shortly after the season ended, he joined the Marine Corps and was assigned to basic training.

After finishing basic training, he was sent to Officers Training School at Quantico, Virginia. He received a commission as a lieutenant and was assigned to the elite Marine Raiders at Camp Pendleton. When the Marine raiders were dissolved, he was assigned to the 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division.

In August 1944, the division was transferred to Camp Tarawa outside of Hilo, Hawaii. Lummus boarded the SS Henry Clay for the trip. After four months of training, the Division was assigned to the Fifth Amphibious Corps and would fight to take the island of Iwo Jima.

Lummus was in the first wave of troops to land at Iwo Jima on D-Day, February 19, 1945. He landed at 9:00 am on the beach known as Red One. He and his platoon spent the next two weeks incessantly fighting the dug-in Japanese. On March 8, 1945 his platoon was spearheading a final assault on an objective east of Kitano Point, near the northern edge of the island. In a heroic spurt of action, he knocked out two enemy strongholds, well fortified positions arranged to defend each other, that were preventing his platoon from reaching their objective. Following this action, he stepped on a land mine and was mortally wounded, losing his legs. While lying on the ground he urged his platoon on, until he was carried off to an aid station.

At the aid station, he famously told the doctor, Thomas M. Brown, "Well, doc, the New York Giants lost a mighty good end today." He was transferred to the field hospital where he underwent surgery, but died on the operating table.

In a letter to his mother, Lummus' commanding officer wrote:

Jack suffered very little for he didn't live long. I saw Jack soon after he was hit. With calmness, serenity and complacency, Jack said, 'The New York Giants lost a good man.' We all lost a good man.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for 2 days and nights, 1st Lt. Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic 1-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Lummus had inspired his stouthearted marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

External links

• Jack Lummus Memorial Site (http://www.jacklummus.com)
• USMC Biography (http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Historical/Whos_Who/Lummus_J.htm)

References

• Battle Wounds of Iwo Jima by Dr. Thomas M. Brown, Vantage Press, Inc., New York, 2002