Beaufort’s Jack Mathison, 72, joined the United States Marine Corps in Clearwater, Fla., in 1968. After boot camp at Parris Island and Infantry training at Camp Lejeune, he further trained in Reconnaissance at Camp Pendleton before his first duty station in Vietnam near Da Nang. While in Vietnam, he saw regular combat, was wounded three times and awarded the Purple Heart. He was medevacked to the hospital ship USNS Sanctuary (AH-17) and Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan the first time and later to Naval Hospital Jacksonville. His next assignment was at Parris Island as a rifle range instructor. He then served with the Marine Barracks at NAS Jacksonville, providing security before an overseas tour on Okinawa. He returned to Pendleton for duty from which he deployed to Panama and Twentynine Palms, Calif. Next he cross-trained at Naval Air Technical Training Center Memphis in avionics before an assignment at MCAS Beaufort. While stationed in Beaufort he deployed to Norway and Yuma, Ariz. He retired in 1988 as a Gunnery Sergeant with 20 years of service. For the next 24 years, he served with the City of Beaufort Fire Department retiring as a Lieutenant.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
