CORBIN, KY, US
U.S. Marine Corps
LCPL, 2D BN 9TH MAR, (RCT-1, I MEF FWD), 2D MARDIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
09/30/2010, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Lance Corporal Timothy M. Jackson, 22 of Corbin died Thursday afternoon September 30 after encountering an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Helmand province.
LCorporal Jackson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Reports indicate he joined the Marines four years ago.
Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Kentucky native Marine who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Governor will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Lance Corporal Jackson’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.
“I’m just so thankful that we have guys like Matt that will go and give their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.”
That’s how Lt. Col. Rick McClure described his emotions Friday, in learning that his former JROTC student, Lance Corporal Timothy “Matt” Jackson was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Thursday. McClure says as a high school student, Jackson dreamed of serving his country.
“Matt was very quiet, he tried to fly under the radar, didn’t want to get in trouble, have his name known, but he always had a big smile on his face, and as long as I knew him, what he wanted to do was to graduate from high school and be a Marine,” McClure said.
“Outstanding young man. He was quiet. Always had a smile. Just a super young man,” said McClure.
LTC McClure worked with Jackson for a couple of years in Corbin’s ROTC program before Jackson graduated in 2007. He joined the Marines through the “buddy” program with one of his good friends. He had already served one tour in Iraq, and McClure says he was just three months into his mission in Afghanistan before he died there last week.
“We are very fortunate in the United States to have young men and women, like Matt Jackson, who will give themselves for us, for our country,” said McClure.
Jackson’s family has traveled to Dover Air Force base in Delaware this weekend, according to McClure, to receive their son’s body. Matt leaves behind his wife, Nikki.
Comments posted about LCpl Jackson:
Posted by: Christine We miss you Matt you were such a great friend to my husband and i in high school. we wish your life didn’t have to end this way. you were a great husband to your wife too. you will always be in our hearts and we will never forget you
Posted by: Amanda McQueen Matt, you were one of my first friends when I transferred to Corbin high and I always looked forward to sitting and talking to you before my school day got started. I will never forget you.