Memorial Day Tribute

Grandma and Grandpa Jordan had six sons.  The oldest died in infancy and the other five all grew up to serve in the Military.  They also raised another boy, James Jordan a nephew, that they raised as a son.   

I wanted to thank these men for their service.

Ted Jordan served in the Marines.  Spending much of his time in Europe/Italy

 Uncle Charlie Jordan served in the Marines.  I'm don't have a picture of him in uniform. 

Then my father, Pat Jordan, served in the Army.  He tried to join up with his older brothers at the age of 14 but was discovered and turned away.  He tried again just before he turned 17 and was successful.

He was a member of the 809th Engineer Aviation Batallian, 24th Infantry, HNS Company and served during the Korean War.  He joined up with childhood friend Chester Forehand.

Chester (Left) Pat Jordan (right)

Fort Ord California 1955

After Boot Camp dad was sent to Fort Belvour, Virginia where he attended the U.S. Army Engineers School and from there spent some time in Alaska.

Pat (right back) with friends Gonzales and Jiminege in Virginia

Dad is photographing his friend Chester.  They were trying to stay warm in Alaska

Then Pat was shipped to Guam.  When he wasn't patroling the jungles he was helping to build a runway to "Handle the big B-52 Bomber".

Here he is picking a big spider off of his arm in the jungle.

I love this next picture.  Dad is in Sipan wrighting a letter to home.

Dad was honorably discharged from the Army and returned home.  He met my mother, they married and shortly after my birth he was drafted to Vietnam.  Dad was honorably discharged shortly after being drafted to fight in Vietnam after they discovered he had already served and had a family.  Although his service during Vietnam was short he is a veteran of both wars.  I'm so proud of him.

John Jordan also served in the Army and I'm also working on getting a photo of him and more information on when and where he served.

Then the baby, Howard "Buddy" Jordan, was drafted to Vietnam shortly after he married.  I remember riding in the back seat of the car when we took him to the airport. Everybody was so quiet and sad.  Buddy served in the Navy and  injured his back and has endured many surgeries and lived in pain his entire life. 

Then James Jordan their cousin that they adopted into the family and loved as a brother.  James enlisted and was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines around 1941-42 and was held as a Prisoner of War and later released. He was honorably discharged but decided to make the Military his life and enlisted again where he was sent to Korea.

James was a member of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in the Army. 

.  The 24th Infantry Division defended Taejon,South Korea for several days buying time for other US forces to establish themselves acheiving air and naval suprememcy and even a naval blockade.  The battle was brutal as they were far out numbered and most of the men in the 24th infantry were killed or captured.  My Grandparents were notified that James was MIA/POW after the battle in Taejon, South Korea. It was some time later that his body was identified among the hundreds that were killed in battle or captured and then executed by the North Koreans.  His status was then changed from MIA/POW to KIA. He died on July 20, 1950.  James was 25 years old. 

His body was not returned to my grandparents until the following July.  Could you imagine waiting ONE year for your sons body to be returned.  Then again many family's never received a body so they were greatful.   

The following is the article puplished in the Flagstaff, AZ newspaper one year later.

Then finally my Uncle Buddy had four sons and named the youngest, James.  James was awarded a four year scholarship to the Airforce Academy his senior year of high school. 

Don't all the Jordan men look alike?  Tall, thin, dark hair, big ears, prominent noses and square jaw line....they are all so handsome to me!

He graduated top of his class and was selected to fly the F-15E- or "The Strike Eagle".  James was among the first to be called to bomb Irag. He has flown many missions and is still serving his country.  I'm so proud of James and all that he has accomplished.

I am so very greatful to all of the men and women who have served this country so I could live and raise my family under a flag that fly's "Free".  I'm thankful for the LOVE of country the men in my life has instilled in me.  Happy Memorial Day and remember "Love your country and live with pride and don't forget those who died...America don't you see...all gave some...some gave all."