This is the VIC 4 VETS, Weekly Honored Veteran.
SUBMITTED BY: The Washington Guard
Jack Jackson
Jack Jackson was born in Sullivan, Indiana and grew up on a small farm near Crown Point. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at Purdue University. Jack later went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management at Pepperdine University. After graduating from Purdue University, Jack worked for a brief period at General Motors.
However, Jack felt the call of his country and joined the United States Marine Corps, where he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. Jack then went off to flight training to become a Marine Aviator. Jack’s tenacity and courage were quickly demonstrated as a combat aviator in Vietnam. Arriving in November 1968, Jack flew over 600 combat missions.
A highly decorated veteran, Jack is the recipient of four Distinguished Flying Crosses, 33 Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal (with combat V), a host of campaign medals and, most recently, the Legion of Merit for Service to His Country.
Returning from Vietnam, Jack attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, testing aircraft for the United States military. Subsequently, he was the aide-de-camp for a Two Star General.
He left active duty as a Marine Captain in 1977. Jack remained active in the service of his country by staying in the Marine Corps Reserves and achieved the rank of Colonel. He was called back to active duty for Desert Shield where he served as a Harrier Instructor Pilot.
Jack continued to play an important role in the defense of his country as a key person in the Boeing Company (previously McDonnell Douglas). Jack became a test pilot at Boeing Company in January 1978. He tested virtually every type of U.S. fighter aircraft as well as two Russian fighters, accumulating over 10,000 flight hours.
He is also the nation’s most experienced VSTOL pilot. In January 2004, he retired from his position as Chief Pilot-Production Test with Boeing Company where he was responsible for all production activities.
Jack is actively involved in his church where he is a deacon. He was the parliamentarian for the Second Congressional District Caucus in 1996 and 2008.
He is also a member of the following organizations:
V.F.W.; American Legion; National Aeronautical Association;
Association of Naval Aviation; Marine Corps League;
Vietnam Veterans;
National Association of Parliamentarians; and
The Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Jack was also on the Boeing Management Club Board of Directors. He was the Chief Test Pilot for Production at the Boeing Company from 1996 until 2004. Jack was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002. He served as president of the largest freshman class in the history of the state of Missouri.
He was Chairman of the Veterans Committee, Chairman of the Joint Committee On Terrorism, Bioterrorism, and Homeland Security; and he was a member of the Appropriations - Public Safety and Corrections and Ways and Means Committees.
Jack has been married for 57 years to the former Arleen Henderlong. They have three children and eight grandchildren. Jack is the recipient of the National Aeronautic Association’s “Elder Statesman of Aviation for 2004” Award. He received the Aviation Week and Space Technology 1999 Laurels Award.
He also received the “Legislator of the Year Award” from the Missouri Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars in June 2003, 2005, and 2006 and the “Legislator of the Year Award” from the American Legion in 2004.
He received the 2006 Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture Award. He also received the National Aide-de- Camp award from the National Commander of the National VFW. After leaving the legislature in 2006, Jack started his own small business of public speaking and an aircraft charter business.
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