"Imperial Sacrifice"
Overall Size: 23" x 32.5"
Signatures
Hal Jackson joined one of the most successful of all U.S. Navy Fighting
Squadrons in WWII, on January 1, 1943: VF17. He served with it on two tours
of duty until it was decommissioned in April 1944. VF17 became known as the
'Skull and Crossbones' squadron after having adopted the old pirates' ensign
of the Jolly Roger as their insignia.
During April 1945, Hal Jackson was with VBF10 aboard the carrier Intrepid,
when he was involved in the Yamato strike. He is credited with shooting down
1 Japanese Betty bomber and 3 Zekes, besides dropping a bomb on the
battleship Yamato.
Lt. Jackson was known as the 'Nightwatchman of the Wardroom,' owing to his
completely bohemian existence amid the otherwise regimented life aboard
ship. Never on the flight deck except to take off, the only way he know whether
it was night or day was by activity in the wardroom.
His decorations include 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses; 8 Air Medals, Silver
Star (for role in helping sink the Yamato); World War II Victory Medal;
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; Navy Unit Commendation. He currently lives
in Denton, Texas, with his wife Barbara. He practices criminal law.
Hal Jackson joined one of the most successful of all U.S. Navy Fighting
Squadrons in WWII, on January 1, 1943: VF17. He served with it on two tours
of duty until it was decommissioned in April 1944. VF17 became known as the
'Skull and Crossbones' squadron after having adopted the old pirates' ensign
of the Jolly Roger as their insignia.
During April 1945, Hal Jackson was with VBF10 aboard the carrier Intrepid,
when he was involved in the Yamato strike. He is credited with shooting down
1 Japanese Betty bomber and 3 Zekes, besides dropping a bomb on the
battleship Yamato.
Lt. Jackson was known as the 'Nightwatchman of the Wardroom,' owing to his
completely bohemian existence amid the otherwise regimented life aboard
ship. Never on the flight deck except to take off, the only way he know whether
it was night or day was by activity in the wardroom.
His decorations include 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses; 8 Air Medals, Silver
Star (for role in helping sink the Yamato); World War II Victory Medal;
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; Navy Unit Commendation. He currently lives
in Denton, Texas, with his wife Barbara. He practices criminal law.
The Story
In the closing months of the pacific war, Japan was becoming more desperate
in the defence of her homeland. The armed forces of Japan had developed
more fanatical strategies to thwart the approaching USA war machine. The
Imperial Japanese Navy was not immune from this, even though the diminished
fleet was but a remnant of its former self. Thus, in April of 1945, the fate of the
Yamato task group was sealed in a sacrificial plan to reinforce the defenders of
Okinawa.
With only enough fuel to make the voyage from the Inner Sea of Japan to the
island, under assault from the combined American and Allied Forces, the
world's largest battleship, together with the light cruiser Yahagi and eight escort
destroyers, sailed into the South China Sea. They were tracked by USA
submarines through the Bungo Straits, their positions being relayed to USA
Task Force 58. There would be no air cover for the Japanese Navy.
At approximately half past noon on April 7, 1945, more than 380 USA planes
from Task Group 58 attacked the Yamato Task Group in three separate air
waves. In the ensuing battle that lasted a little more than three hours, the
Imperial Japanese Navy ceased to exist. Sunk was the battleship Yamato, the
light cruiser Yahagi, and four of the eight escort destroyers. The remaining
destroyers limped home to Kure Harbor with what survivors they could find
from the sunken ships.
The sacrifice for the Japanese was staggering. In addition to the Japanese
Navy's loss of pride, 4250 officers and sailors perished. The loss to American
forces were 10 planes and 12 aircrew.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamato, the architect who had planned the attack on Pearl
Harbor, had predicted this outcome at the beginning of hostilities more than
three and a half years prior to this tragic battle. The giant did indeed awaken
and returned with a terrible resolve. It would culminate four months later not far
from where the keel for the Yamato was laid: Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In the closing months of the pacific war, Japan was becoming more desperate
in the defence of her homeland. The armed forces of Japan had developed
more fanatical strategies to thwart the approaching USA war machine. The
Imperial Japanese Navy was not immune from this, even though the diminished
fleet was but a remnant of its former self. Thus, in April of 1945, the fate of the
Yamato task group was sealed in a sacrificial plan to reinforce the defenders of
Okinawa.
With only enough fuel to make the voyage from the Inner Sea of Japan to the
island, under assault from the combined American and Allied Forces, the
world's largest battleship, together with the light cruiser Yahagi and eight escort
destroyers, sailed into the South China Sea. They were tracked by USA
submarines through the Bungo Straits, their positions being relayed to USA
Task Force 58. There would be no air cover for the Japanese Navy.
At approximately half past noon on April 7, 1945, more than 380 USA planes
from Task Group 58 attacked the Yamato Task Group in three separate air
waves. In the ensuing battle that lasted a little more than three hours, the
Imperial Japanese Navy ceased to exist. Sunk was the battleship Yamato, the
light cruiser Yahagi, and four of the eight escort destroyers. The remaining
destroyers limped home to Kure Harbor with what survivors they could find
from the sunken ships.
The sacrifice for the Japanese was staggering. In addition to the Japanese
Navy's loss of pride, 4250 officers and sailors perished. The loss to American
forces were 10 planes and 12 aircrew.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamato, the architect who had planned the attack on Pearl
Harbor, had predicted this outcome at the beginning of hostilities more than
three and a half years prior to this tragic battle. The giant did indeed awaken
and returned with a terrible resolve. It would culminate four months later not far
from where the keel for the Yamato was laid: Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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| Ozark Airfield Artworks |
This Scenario
April 7, 1945. The Imperial
Japanese battleship Yamato, on a
one-way suicide mission to
reinforce the embattled garrison
on Okinawa, is attacked by
Corsairs from the USS Intrepid
(T.G. 58.4). Lt. Hal Jackson and a
fellow pilot, both of VBF10,
attempt to evade the deadly
anti-aircraft fire from the sinking
ship, after successfully delivering
their bombs on target.
April 7, 1945. The Imperial
Japanese battleship Yamato, on a
one-way suicide mission to
reinforce the embattled garrison
on Okinawa, is attacked by
Corsairs from the USS Intrepid
(T.G. 58.4). Lt. Hal Jackson and a
fellow pilot, both of VBF10,
attempt to evade the deadly
anti-aircraft fire from the sinking
ship, after successfully delivering
their bombs on target.