Jake’s Letters Home
By: Linda Watts; inspired by Nadine Crump Ray
In our community, any time Veterans issues or a Wreath ceremony is being discussed; Jessie Lee Crump’s name is mentioned with love and pride and a deep sadness. Jessie Lee Crump “Jake” was born in Bonnieville, Hart Co., KY July 16, 1946 and died Oct 28, 1966 in Quang Nam Province, South Viet Nam. Jake was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend to many, an avid hunter, an expert Rifleman, a Private First Class, and a
Marine. He served with F CO, 2ND BN, and 1ST MAR DIV, III MAF, United States Marine Corps. As a member of the Marine Corps Selective Service, PFC Crump served our country until October 27th, 1966 when he was severely injured, while guarding a medical helicopter that was attempting to land to transport wounded soldiers. He was hit by small arms fire and died the next day Oct 28th. We know a little about the last year of his life from his letters home. Jake was 20 years old and was not married but in a letter to his Mother, he sent home a ring for safekeeping. She never had a chance to find out who Jake was going to ask to be his wife.
In the last letter home to his sister, written on Oct. 8
th & received on the 12th, Jake told of being wounded Oct 4th. He described being shot in the back while on duty, speaking sadly of seeing his buddies receive mortal injuries and witnessing deaths of several of his friends. In his letters home, He often spoke of hunting on Frenchman Knob, working in the tobacco on the farm and of missing home. His letters always ended “love always” or “with love” Jake.
Jake was in the service less than a year when he died. During his short Military career he earned a Purple Heart, Viet Nam Service Medal, Rifle Expert Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal. Jake died Oct 28th, 19
66 from small arms fire/grenade fire, and is listed in Military records as casualty number 7187. PFC Jessie Lee Crump is honored on panel 11E, line 121 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
Jake didn’t live long enough to be a husband, a father or a grandfather but in his short 20 years of life, he lived in such a way that even 45 years after his death, he continues to be loved, respected and remembered with tears and a smile. It makes me wish I could have met him.
Service Photo and information: Courtesy Nadine Crump Ray. Thank you to Jake’s sister Nadine, for sharing photos, information and letters home from her brother Jessie Lee Crump, Jake to all who knew and loved him.
By: Linda Watts; inspired by Nadine Crump Ray
In our community, any time Veterans issues or a Wreath ceremony is being discussed; Jessie Lee Crump’s name is mentioned with love and pride and a deep sadness. Jessie Lee Crump “Jake” was born in Bonnieville, Hart Co., KY July 16, 1946 and died Oct 28, 1966 in Quang Nam Province, South Viet Nam. Jake was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend to many, an avid hunter, an expert Rifleman, a Private First Class, and a
Marine. He served with F CO, 2ND BN, and 1ST MAR DIV, III MAF, United States Marine Corps. As a member of the Marine Corps Selective Service, PFC Crump served our country until October 27th, 1966 when he was severely injured, while guarding a medical helicopter that was attempting to land to transport wounded soldiers. He was hit by small arms fire and died the next day Oct 28th. We know a little about the last year of his life from his letters home. Jake was 20 years old and was not married but in a letter to his Mother, he sent home a ring for safekeeping. She never had a chance to find out who Jake was going to ask to be his wife.
In the last letter home to his sister, written on Oct. 8
th & received on the 12th, Jake told of being wounded Oct 4th. He described being shot in the back while on duty, speaking sadly of seeing his buddies receive mortal injuries and witnessing deaths of several of his friends. In his letters home, He often spoke of hunting on Frenchman Knob, working in the tobacco on the farm and of missing home. His letters always ended “love always” or “with love” Jake.
Jake was in the service less than a year when he died. During his short Military career he earned a Purple Heart, Viet Nam Service Medal, Rifle Expert Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal. Jake died Oct 28th, 19
66 from small arms fire/grenade fire, and is listed in Military records as casualty number 7187. PFC Jessie Lee Crump is honored on panel 11E, line 121 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
Jake didn’t live long enough to be a husband, a father or a grandfather but in his short 20 years of life, he lived in such a way that even 45 years after his death, he continues to be loved, respected and remembered with tears and a smile. It makes me wish I could have met him.
Service Photo and information: Courtesy Nadine Crump Ray. Thank you to Jake’s sister Nadine, for sharing photos, information and letters home from her brother Jessie Lee Crump, Jake to all who knew and loved him.
UPDATE: January 2012
Classmates of Jessie Lee "Jake" Crump recently placed a memorial stone at his grave. Several Munfordville High school Class of '64 students gathered at Mt Pisgah to dedicate the stone. BONNIEVILLE Native Pvt. 1st Class Crump, F CO, 2ND BN, 1ST Marines, 1ST MAR DIV, III MAF, United States Marine Corps Served & died Viet Nam 1966.
