Colonel Jack Jacobs

Awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary valor during the Vietnam War, Colonel Jack Jacobs embarked on a distinguished career that spanned highly decorated military service, successful investment banking, and prominent military analysis. Entering military service as a second lieutenant in 1966, Colonel Jacobs completed two tours of duty in Vietnam as an advisor to infantry units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), where he also served as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division, a battalion executive officer in the 7th Infantry Division, and a battalion commander with the 10th Infantry Regiment in Panama. On March 9, 1968, in Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam, then First Lieutenant Jacobs, despite being wounded, assumed command of an allied company under intense enemy fire. He repeatedly exposed himself to evacuate wounded soldiers, saving a fellow advisor, the company commander, and twelve other personnel, while also single-handedly repelling three Viet Cong squads.

For these actions, he was promoted to Captain and formally presented the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon on October 9, 1969. His other commendations include two Silver Stars, three Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. Colonel Jacobs continued his esteemed military career, serving as a faculty member at the United States Military Academy from 1973 to 1976.

In 2018, he delivered the esteemed Waldo Family Lecture on International Relations at Old Dominion University, sharing his unique insights on global affairs. Colonel Jacobs continues to be an influential voice on military strategy and leadership, regularly engaging with academic institutions and public forums.