Faces Bio

Jerome E. Jacobs was born on December 25, 1948, in Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of Herman Jacobs and the late Pearl Jacobs. He had two sisters, Jewel and June. From the age of eight, Jerome lived with his aunt and uncle in Bayonne, NJ, where he attended St. Vincent's, St. Joseph's, and Bayonne High School.

Jacobs enlisted in the US Army on September 16, 1966. He completed basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, and his advanced training at Fort Ord, CA.

Jacobs came home to visit his family for Christmas 1967, before beginning a tour of duty in Vietnam on March 7, 1968. Jacobs was a gunner with the 338th Assault Helicopter Company of the 268th Combat Aviation Battalion. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).

Jacob's helicopter crashed and exploded on impact. Word that he was missing in action was delivered to his family by a sergeant and a lieutenant from the US Army. His family still strongly believed that he would be found alive. After two weeks of searching, his body was found. The same two men returned to report his death. He was killed on May 5, 1968, at the age of 19. He was the 12th Bayonne serviceman to be killed in Vietnam.

A military funeral, complete with honor guard, firing squad and taps, was held for Private First Class Jacobs. At the time of his death, he was survived by his father, aunt, uncle, and his two sisters, Jewel Jacobs-McKennan and June Jacobs-Simmons.

Sources: Jacobs-McKennan (sister) and NJVVMF.