Jack was born on 21 December 1924 in Columbia, MO but grew up in East St Louis, IL. In his first half year as a senior in East St Louis High School, he and his best friend bob Williams went to Chicago to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Bob was accepted, but Jack was rejected because he was Color blind. On June 16th, 1943, Jack was inducted in the Army of the United States and to active service on 30 June 1943. Due to his color blindness he was, after 3 months of basic training at Camp Grant, IL, sent to driver's school and then assigned to the 593rd Ambulance Company. On 12 February 1944, he departed the United States and arrived in England on 23 February 1944. He participated in the Normandy Landings as an Ambulance Driver. He named his Ambulance 'Yvonne' for his wife. His duties involved driving the wounded from the clearing station to the evacuation hospital. He was also responsible for maintaining his vehicle. He served in the battles of Northern France, the Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland and Central Europe. Drove over all kinds of terrain in all kinds of weather. He spent almost two years overseas and returned to the United States on 28 December 1945. He earned American Theater, 3 overseas bars, European African Middle Eastern with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct and World War II Medals. He was honorable discharged at Camp Grant on 2 January, 1945.