Date of birth:

April 29th, 1922 (Effingham/Illinois, United States)

Date of death:

November 12th, 1942

Nationality:

American (1776 - present, Republic)

Jackson Keith Loy was born on April 29, 1922, the son of Olin Alonzo and Carrie (Tennant) Loy of rural Effingham County. He attended Franklin School. Jack entered service in the CCC's (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the Depression. They were nicknamed the "dollar a day boys". His $25.00 a month that was sent home helped his family make it through those Depression years.

Jack enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS San Francisco. The USS San Francisco was at Pearl Harbor for repairs on December 7, 1941. The ship and crew escaped the bombings and were able to finish the repairs on the ship. They left Pearl Harbor on December 14, 1941 and headed into action in the Pacific Theater. The USS San Francisco was near the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Theater on November 12, 1942 during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Jack was a gunner when they were under heavy attack. A Japanese Kamikaze plane headed for his ship loaded with torpedo bombs. With fierce determination, Jack stayed at his post and fired away at that plane to save his ship. Jack shot down the Japanese plane before it could sink his ship, but part of the plane fell on him and killed him and others nearby. The next day, Jackson Keith Loy's body was wrapped in the blanket of another sailor from Effingham County and buried at sea after his death in that fierce battle of Guadalcanal.

On September 12, 1943 the USS Loy (DE-160)(destroyer escort) was christened and commissioned in honor of Jackson Keith Loy, Gunner's Mate Third Class, US Navy. The ship was launched at Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia. His mother, Mrs. Carrie Loy was unable to attend due to poor health.

Jackson Keith Loy was buried at sea but there is a marker for him at Loy Cemetery, one at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, and the sailors that died that November 12, 1942, are also memorialized in San Francisco near the harbor.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gunner’s Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy

Unit:

USS San Francisco, United States Navy

Citation:
"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Gunner's Mate Third Class Jackson Keith Loy (NSN: 3001552), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession while serving as a Gunner aboard the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island in the Solomons on the night of on 12 and 13 November 1942. With a complete disregard for his own personal safety, Gunner's Mate Third Class Loy courageously refused to abandon his gun station and fearlessly remained at his gun. In the face of certain death from an onrushing enemy torpedo plane that had been set on fire, he maintained his accurate gunfire until the plane crashed on his station. He was killed in action. His unflinching bravery and gallant conduct were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Awarded posthumously

• Photo 1: FindaGrave
• Photo: Find A Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records
  
• - Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present, by C. Douglas Sterner
  - Military Times Hall of Valor
  - Jane Loy Ries