Jacob Arthur Reddick

Conflicts & Campaigns

• European Theater of Operations, February 16, 1944 - September 19, 1944
• North Africa; Italy; Invasion Southern France; Netherlands

Significant Duty Stations

• Inducted; Fort McPherson, Georgia. Commissioned Flight Officer, Lubbock, Texas; Advanced training; Louisville, Kentucky and Maxton, North Carolina (Primary US base for training glider pilots); Glider pilot, 442nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 305th Troop Carrier attached to US 9th Air Force

Decorations & Citations

• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four battle stars; Purple Heart. Killed in action near Arnhem, Netherlands.

Notes

Born; Cairo, Georgia. Graduate of Cairo High School Class of 1939. Brother of Gordon Decatur Reddick, Jr. US Army and Seaman First Class Robert Jones Reddick US Navy. Jacob flew a CG-4A glider during Operation Market Garden, a plan envisioned by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, would out flank the German Army and provide a easy way to Berlin. As the air formation reached the Belgian coast it came under intense anti-aircraft fire. Jacob's glider tow line that connected to its C-47 tow plane was cut by a shell. Jacob was able to land the glider safely, but landed in enemy held territory. There were four Allied soldiers accompanying Jacob in the glider. As Germans approached the glider, a fire fight ensued. Jacob and one other were mortally wounded. The surviving men from the glider were taken prisoner. Burial; Cairo Cemetery, Cairo, Georgia.