Edgar Jackson
Private Edgar Jackson served with Dog Battery, Second Battalion, 11 Marines.
He was reported missing after his evacuation from Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 18 October 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 327968
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 23, 1920
at Robeson County, NC
Parents
George Robert Jackson (d. 1945)
Mary Nina (Bunnell) Jackson
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
November 19, 1941
at Raleigh, NC
Home Of Record
Rex, NC
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. George Jackson
Military Specialty
Artilleryman
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
In mid-October 1942, Japanese warships took full advantage of their nighttime naval superiority and threw tons of shells into American positions on Guadalcanal. The airfield was their primary target, but many units stationed in the vicinity took casualties as well – including the artillerymen of the 11th Marines.
Private Edgar Jackson of Battery D was admitted to the Division Field Hospital on 15 October 1942, suffering the effects of shell shock. After two days of observation, doctors decided to evacuate Jackson for further treatment. The young private left the hospital – and effectively disappeared. There is no record of how he was evacuated; he never appeared at any rear-area hospital, and he drew no pay after 18 October
Jackson may have been aboard the USS McFarland on 17 October 1942. The seaplane tender was discharging supplies for the airfield and taking on casualties for evacuation – notably, she had a significant number of “combat fatigue” patients aboard. Japanese planes attacked McFarland at 1700 hours, sending the patients into a panicked frenzy. Several men were blown overboard by near misses, and one bomb hit squarely on the fantail and detonated a depth charge. Many evacuees and sailors were killed in the explosion; eight unidentifiable bodies were later put ashore at Tulagi for burial.
For all intents and purposes, Edgar Jackson vanished without a trace. He was ultimately declared dead on 19 February 1945.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information available.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, George and Mary Jackson.
Location Of Loss
Private Jackson was last seen at an unspecified location on Guadalcanal.