Jacklyn Lucas, Youngest Marine to Earn the Medal of Honor at Iwo Jima

Dec 05 , 2025

Jacklyn Lucas, Youngest Marine to Earn the Medal of Honor at Iwo Jima

Jacklyn Harold Lucas was 17 years old—barely old enough to tie his boots—when hell came calling at Iwo Jima. The world around him exploded with fire and fury. Two live grenades landed near his comrades in a foxhole. Without hesitation, Lucas threw himself on the deadly fragments, a human shield against certain death.

Born to Fight, Raised by Faith

Jacklyn’s story starts in a small North Carolina town. He wasn’t just a kid chasing glory—he was a youth forged in hard times and harder faith. A strong Christian upbringing shaped his spirit. The words of scripture weren’t mere lines; they were the backbone of his courage.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” — John 15:13

That love became his war cry, his code. Jacklyn lied about his age to join the Marines at 14, driven not by youthful recklessness but by a fierce desire to serve something greater than himself.

The Firestorm of Iwo Jima

February 1945. The volcanic sands of Iwo Jima boiled with death. Marine battalions clawed their way through fortified Japanese positions. Lucas, a private in the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, was a powder keg of raw will and grit.

On one blood-soaked day, two grenades landed mere inches from his foxhole. There was no time to think—only to act. Without hesitation, he dove onto the explosives. The blast tore through flesh and bone, shattering both his hands and jaw, ripping much of his chest to shreds.

Yet he survived—unbelievably—and dragged himself back to his unit amid the chaos.

Honors for the Youngest Medal of Honor Recipient

Lucas’s valor didn’t go unnoticed. For his selfless act, he received the Medal of Honor—the youngest Marine to ever earn it. His citation detailed the raw courage and quick decision that saved at least two comrades.

Supreme Commander Admiral Chester W. Nimitz lauded the boy-hero:

“The pluck, presence of mind, and devotion to duty of this young Marine are beyond human understanding. He is a living example of valor and sacrifice.”

Despite his grave injuries, Lucas carried the scars of battle with pride. His wounds told the story of a warrior who gave everything for his brothers-in-arms.

A Legacy Forged in Blood and Redemption

Jacklyn Lucas’s story isn’t just about fearless youth or the brutal calculus of war—it’s about the deep well of sacrifice that redeems humanity’s darkest hours. He returned home broken in body but unbreakable in spirit, dedicating his life to reminding the world of the price freedom demands.

He once said,

“I’ve never been ashamed of my Medal of Honor. It’s not about me. It’s about the men I served with—those who didn’t come home.”

His courage reverberates through generations of veterans and civilians alike—a stark reminder that true heroism often means bearing wounds unseen and unheard.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31

Jacklyn Harold Lucas didn’t just survive the blast; he carried its message forward—a sacred testament that courage is born in sacrifice, faith, and love.

Sources

1. Smithsonian Institution + Medal of Honor: Jacklyn Harold Lucas 2. USMC History Division + Iwo Jima Veteran Biographies 3. Naval History and Heritage Command + Admiral Nimitz Statements