Staff Sergeant Danny Lee Jacks

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Staff Sergeant Jacks of Rison earned the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple Heart Medal during combat in Vietnam. 

Staff Sergeant Danny Lee Jacks is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for exemplary leadership and courage during long range reconnaissance patrols in 1969 and 1970 while assigned to Company G (Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment, Americas (23rd Infantry) Division. Specifically, in August 1970, Staff Sergeant Jacks was assigned the mission of conducting an area reconnaissance southeast of Tra Bong, Vietnam; with a secondary mission to capture enemy personnel. While on the patrol, the team became aware of a hostile force in the vicinity. Staff Sergeant Jacks' team watched as the enemy force, consisting of more than the one hundred thirty men, passed in front of the team's concealed position. The team's plan was to allow the enemy element to pass, picking a straggler or two at the end of the enemy column. But, as the team began to execute this plan, the team came under heavy fire as a result of a counter ambush by the enemy. Reacting to the urgency of the situation and recognizing that his team was also in danger of an assault by the larger enemy element that had passed them, Staff Sergeant Jacks, immediately and unhesitatingly, led a counter assault against the enemy's ambush position. Without regard to the personal danger involved, Staff Sergeant Jacks maintained a highly accurate barrage of small arms fire that eliminated two of the enemy attackers and routed the remainder of the hostile soldiers. Then, recognizing the need to regroup and reassess the larger enemy unit's strength and position relative to his team, Staff Sergeant Jacks led his men across a stream when the team again suddenly came under intense hostile fire. Although he was wounded in the ensuing fierce exchange of fire, Staff Sergeant Jacks directed his men to defensive positions while continuing to engage the enemy. Again, with complete disregard for his personal safety, Staff Sergeant Jacks repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy's fire while marking their positions for friendly fire support. Despite the continued pressure, he remained in his vulnerable position until the enemy force was completely defeated. Through his timely and courageous actions, he contributed greatly to the overall success of the mission and served as an inspiration to his entire unit. Staff Sergeant Jacks' commitment to his men, and his resolve to complete the mission set him apart for all time as an exceptional role model for all military leaders. His personal courage, high skill level and competence, and his devotion to duty, his team, and his Country are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the Ranger community, and the US Army 

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Staff Sergeant Jacks of Rison earned the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Purple Heart Medal during combat in Vietnam.