Sgt. Don Jakeway was told on June 5, 1944 that his division, the 82nd Airborne, was about to be sent into an operation with an estimated casualty rate of 85%. Later that night, Jakeway boarded a plane with his stick as part of Operation Overlord heading to France. Around 1 AM on June 6, Jakeway parachuted and landed in a tree a few miles outside of St. Mere Eglise. He continued fighting in France until mid-June where he was sent back to England for more training.
In September 1944, he parachuted once again into combat and fought in Operation Market Garden. Jakeway was severly injured by shrapnel near Beek, Holland and was evacuated. He recovered and returned to combat during the Battle of the Bulge. He was injured again by German sniper fire and while he was in the ambulance headed to the rear area, the ambulance crashed. He was the only survivor in the crash.
For his service, Jakeway earned 21 medals including several bronze stars, a purple heart with oak leaf cluster and the French Medal of Honor.
Don Jakeway returned to France a few years ago and found the very tree he landed in on June 6th, 1944.
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| Don Jakeway at the tree he landed in on June 6, 1944 |
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| My signed picture of Jakeway |
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| Don Jakeway greeting people at the 2016 Show of Shows |
I had the honor of knowing Don for several years. We spent many happy hours together. He lived just a few miles away. Other than my Dad, Don was the greatest man I have ever known ! Please tell me, exactly where this tree is ! I am going crazy trying to find it, with the clues that I have ! Thank you ! Bill Moats, Newark, Ohio william10@windstream.net
ReplyDeleteI had the honor of knowing Don for several years. We spent many happy hours together. He lived just a few miles away. Other than my Dad, Don was the greatest man I have ever known ! Please tell me, exactly where this tree is ! I am going crazy trying to find it, with the clues that I have ! Thank you ! Bill Moats, Newark, Ohio william10@windstream.net
ReplyDelete