Would you put your life before others? At first, it’s an easy answer. Most people say they would, but how many of you will take action when that moment comes? Maybe you’ll just freeze up and not know what to do. It takes courage to be willing to throw yourself in peril. Simply stated, Courage is honor and commitment in action. Many American Heroes throughout history have shown this courage, but one specific marine exemplified these values, Jacklyn H. Lucas. His determination, honor, and commitment led to his display of courage and selflessness. At age 14, Lucas convinced the Marine Corps recruiters that he was 17. He was determined to fight in WW2. Lucas looked older because he was 5’ 8” and brawny weighing in at 180 pounds. He forged his …show more content…
Taking cover in a trench, close proximity fire took place with a neighboring trench. Two live grenades were thrown into his trench. Without hesitation, Lucas jumps on the first grenade, pushing it into the volcanic ash to shield others from the imminent blast. When another grenade appeared right after the first, he quickly grabbed it and put it under his body. Everybody in the trench was saved thanks to Jack’s great valiance. Thinking their partner was dead his platoon left him. A second company occupied the trench when they realized Lucas was still alive. On October 5, 1945 Harry Truman presented Jacklyn H. Lucas with the Medal of Honor. His courageous act of service also awarded him the Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and a Purple Heart. Lucas was discharged from the Marines and underwent dozens of surgeries. 200 pieces of shrapnel remained in his body. Although the war was over he enlisted as a First Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army when he was 31. In his first training session he was the last one out of the plane, but the first one on the ground. Neither of his parachutes opened. He miraculously survived with minor injuries. Two weeks later he was back jumping out of planes. An American Hero isn’t one that displays courage once but maintains a courageous life full of determination, commitment, and most of