Their Story
Park Willard Jackson was born January 26, 1921, in Dathout, Oklahoma, son of Frank and Lillie Jackson. Park graduated from Hillsdale Township, Illinois, high school and was employed as a draftsman at Rock Island Arsenal before entering the Army Air Corps on October 7, 1942. Park enlisted in Peoria, Illinois.
While stationed at Highlands, New Jersey, Sergeant Jackson married Dorothy E. Aldrich on May 21, 1944.[1] His bride graduated from East Moline High School[2], and was employed at the American Machine and Metals, Inc., before going east to be married.
Sergeant Park W. Jackson was assigned to the 94th Fighter Control Squadron at Highlands New Jersey. The Fighter Control Squadron was a radar unit that directed the Fighter/Interceptors to their targets and helped them return to base when weather or aircraft damage interfered with their navigation.[3] The 94th Fighter Control Squadron was part of the East Coast Air Defense Network until it was relocated to the West Coast in 1945. Sergeant Jackson was transferred to Camp Pinedale, Fresno, California in early 1945.[4]
After the war Park worked as a territory manager for Lofgren Distributing, Moline, for 23 years until his retirement in 1979. Mr. Jackson was a member of the Midwest Antique Tool Collectors Club. He enjoyed reading and animals, especially horses.[5]
Park died on June 6, 2006, at age 85, due to injuries from an automobile accident. Park was survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Jerrold Dadisman, Manly, Iowa, a son and daughter-in-law, David and Sharyn Jackson, Rock Island, and grandchildren. Dorothy preceded Park in death January 7, 2006. Park and Dorothy are interned in Plot H-198 at Rock Island National Cemetery.
headstone photo from Park W Jackson (1921-2006) – Find a Grave Memorial
[1] Obituary for Park W. Jackson, 1921-2006 (Aged 85) – Newspapers.com
[2] Clipping from The Dispatch – Newspapers.com
[3] Highlands Air Force Station – Wikipedia