Memorial Day Program, May 26, 2003

              Memorial Day Program
May 26, 2003
Elgin's First World War II Casualty	
Richard Frederick Jacobs
1921-1941
Twenty year old Ship Fitter 3rd class Richard F . Jacobs, U.S. Navy was killed in the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7, 1941 to become Elgin's first casualty of World War II. He joined the Navy on January 9, 1940 and was assigned to duty aboard the battleship USS California on duty in the Pacific. He was on duty that fateful morning, busy below deck when the attack came that launched America's entry into the war and ended his life. The local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans is named in his honor.
Born in 1921, Dick was the son of Mr . & Mrs. Willis L. Jacobs. He lived his entire life in Elgin before joining the Navy . He was a graduate of Elgin High School. He had three brothers, George, Willis, Jr. and Frank, serving in the Army at the time and a sister, Marion, who died in 1932.
The Jacobs family was notified of his death on December 16, 1941. His mother asked that his body be returned to Elgin for burial. He is buried in Bluff City cemetery . His grave is located at Sec. 17, Sp. 4.
As we remember the sacrifice of this young Elgin sailor , we are also reminded of all those who served in W orld War II and all of America's other wars making their own special sacrifices.
Today, we also remember the men and women in uniform serving around a very dangerous and hostile world and say a special prayer for each of them.
ELGIN PATRIOTIC MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
President: Donald J. man
Vice President: KimberTriciaIbthToth
Secretary/Treasurer: Thicia L. Dieringer