JAAGA secretariat Ochi was invited to the party surrounding Colonel Joe Jackson who is the one of the Medal of Honor recipients alive who served USAF. This party was held at Yokota AB on
26th Feb. 2004. The following is a part of homepage of the Yokota AB which
reports that he visited the Yokota base.
The last living Air Force airlifter to receive the Medal of Honor visited
here Feb. 23th - 29th.Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Bill Cannon accompanied
Col. (ret.) Joe Jackson during the visit. Colonel Jackson and Chief Cannon
rededicated the Air Force Medal of Honor recipients plaque and spoke with
Airmen across Yokota, including members attending the First Term Airman
Center and Airman Leadership School. Colonel Jackson assisted Col. Mark
Schissler, 374th Airlift Wing commander, with unveiling the new MOH plaque
including the name of the latest Air Force MOH recipient, Airman 1st Class
William Pitsenbarger. He also expressed his feelings on being reintroduced
to the Air Force family he retired from after 33 years of service. "I
feel the camaraderie all over again. I spent more time with the military,
so it's like going back to see my family D my Air Force family," he
said. "I think it is valuable to meet and speak with someone who is
part of our Air Force history," said 374th Maintenance Squadron member
and ALS student Senior Airman Bryon Bass. Colonel Jackson also shared his
opinions on education and the officer and enlisted corps, said Airman Bass. "One
of the things I liked was that we not only got the opportunity to have
him here, but young Airmen also gained insight of how things differ from
the Air Force of his generation," said Senior Airman Ivan Abudo, 786th
Communication Squadron member and ALS student. Colonel Jackson said one
of the most memorable parts of his visit was speaking to Yokota's ALS.
"I was really impressed with how the junior Airmen have such an understanding
of the Air Force's mission," he said. "Today's Airmen are sharp,
bright, motivated and dedicated," said Colonel Jackson. He also said
he was impressed by the number of junior Airmen pursuing a college education. "I
am glad the Air Force is run by people like them," he said. Colonel
Jackson also spoke at the monthly promotion ceremony, Commander's Corner
radio show on Eagle 810, and an open briefing at the base theater. Colonel
Jackson received the Medal of Honor for rescuing three Air Force combat
controllers with his C-123 aircraft at the risk of his own life May 12,
1968 at Kham Duc, North Vietnam. He endured heavy enemy fire and difficult
runway conditions to extract the team. Colonel Jackson said his crew and
he were "the luckiest guys in the world" for performing the rescue
successfully, however he feels his actions were not just for himself. "This
medal around my neck doesn't belong to me," he said. "It belongs
to all Airmen. I am representing all those who have fallen in battle and
were not fully recognized as they should have been." (Reported by
secretariat Ochi)
