Dennis Eugene Jackowski

Private First Class
C CO, 4TH BN, 21ST INF RGT, 11 INF BDE
Army of the United States
29 June 1949 - 15 April 1970
Inwood, New York
Panel 11W Line 007

11 INF BDE 21ST INF RGT
Combat Infantry

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Dennis Eugene Jackowski

He's just a boy still in his teens,
but now he's wearing Army Greens.

He got shipped off to Viet Nam,
he went to fight the Viet Cong.

He fought to protect you and me,
but how could he fight what he couldn't see.

He left this country with thoughts of glory,
to take part in a horror story.

With his M-16 close in hand,
he helped take on a foreign land.

He fought to kill the enemy but he lost his life and all for what?
Cause after all is said and done,his Mother still has lost her son.

He fought to spread Democracy,
but now he's just a memory.

This sacrifice people didn't appreciate,
until ten years later,
- ten years too late.

From his nephew,
Joseph Jackowski

Placed by a friend of his brother Kenny,
Bob Meyer
bobmeyer90@hotmail.com
03 Oct 2002

22 Sep 2006

I find myself thinking of Dennis every time I think back on my experiences in Vietnam.

We grew up in the same town - Inwood. Dennis, Chris LiCurse, Jimmy Henry, Joe Capone and I were all drafted and went in the service the same day. Those first couple of weeks were tough. Dennis had the most positive attitude, and he helped me get through it. I can remember, like yesterday, standing outside during a smoke break and Dennis saying, "They got us for only two years, after that, we're free again."

We ended up in separate infantry training units when we got to Fort Polk, Louisiana - they called it 'Little Nam'. Our paths only crossed a couple of times at Fort Polk. And then I heard of his death in letters from home.

Thanks, Dennis, for your friendship! Rest in peace!

From a friend,
Frank Mezzanotte
fmezzanotte@cox.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On 15 April 1970 a mine caused secondary explosions in Claymores and mortar rounds, causing the deaths of thirteen American soldiers:
  • C Co, 4th Bn, 21st Infantry
    • SSG Allen M. Garrett, Edmond, OK
    • SGT Robert J. Mussin, Detroit, MI
    • SP4 James W. Lindemann, Bridgman, MI
    • SP4 Gene S. Swager, Balsam Lake, WI
    • SP4 Perry L. Woosley, Louisville, KY
    • PFC Dennis E. Jackowski, Inwood, NY
    • PFC Rick A. Wilcox, Marion, OH

  • HQ Co, 4th Bn, 21st Infantry
    • PFC Michael C. Gomes, Redding, CA

  • C Co, 4th Bn, 3rd Infantry
    • CPL Michael W. Haynes, Charleston, WV
    • SP4 Charles L. Merrill, Jersey Shore, PA
    • CPL Jose L. Rivas, Los Fresnos, TX
    • CPL Clarence W. Templeton, Sikeston, MO

  • HQ Co, 4th Bn, 3rd Infantry
    • CPL Randall R. Simmons, Chicago, IL


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a friend of his brother Kenny,
Bob Meyer
bobmeyer90@hotmail.com



Top of Page

Virtual Wall icon
www.VirtualWall.org

Back to
To alpha index J
NY State Index . Panel 11W
21ST INF RGT Index

Contact Us



With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 3 Oct 2002
Last updated 11/13/2010