Delbert Jackson was honored for his military service prior to his death earlier this summer by his hospice providers, HCI Hospice Care Services. Jackson served as a Private in the Army during World War II.

Jackson, a graduate of Mount Ayr High School, was inducted into the Army on August 19, 1944 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He served as a member of the 94th Combat Division of Gen. Patton's Third Army in the Battle of the Bulge, Rineland and Central Europe. Jackson received multiple honors for his service, including a Bronze Star for heroic achievement at Ludwingshafen, Germany, a Purple Heart for wounds received in action, The Combat Infantryman's Badge for excellent work under fire on the German front and two other Bronze Stars for participation in the campaigns of the Rineland and Central Europe. When he was wounded by a sniper's bullet and could not be evacuated in Germany, he refused treatment to be able to stay with his troops and stated, "That's what matters most."

The local HCI Hospice Care Services team, which has honored about 70 of its patients who are veterans for their service to the nation through ceremonies like Jackson's as part of its continued effort to ensure veterans receive specialized care at end-of-life. These efforts also include offering a Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer program. HCI Hospice Care Services' Veteran-to-Veteran Program pairs veterans who are hospice volunteers with patients who have served the nation. Veteran Partners program companionship while talking, reading and sitting with patients. Sometimes veterans feel most comfortable sharing their experiences with fellow veterans. Veterans have a unique skill set which can help patients come to terms with past events and find peace.

Those interested in more information about care or volunteer opportunities for veterans are encouraged to contact HCI Hospice Care Services at 641-464-2088 or visit hcicareservices.org.

Army veteran Delbert Jackson is surrounded by family when he was honored
for his service in the Army prior to his death this summer.
Front row, L-R: wife Hazel Jackson, Delbert Jackson and Jake Dailey, fellow World War II veteran and Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer with HCI Hospice Care Services;
Back row: daughter-in-law Debbie Jackson, son John Jackson
and niece Kay Henderson.
Jackson served as a Private First Class in the Army during World War II.

John "Delbert" Jackson obituary

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2017