Jack William Jaunal, Sergeant Major, United States Marine Corps (Ret)
August 2, 1927 - April 8, 2012
Obituary
JACK WILLIAM JAUNAL
Sergeant Major
United States Marine Corps (Ret)
Sergeant Major Jack William Jaunal was born 2 August 1927 in Los Angeles, California and passed away on Easter Sunday, 8 April 2012. He was a veteran of three wars and over thirty-three years of military service. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in July 1952 after seven years of U.S. Army service. During World War II, 1944-1945, he served as a seaman in the U.S. Maritime Service. In 1945, he volunteered for the U.S. Army and served in the infantry. During the war in Korea, in which he was wounded, he participated in seven campaigns, which included temporary duty with the British 29th Brigade and the First Marine Division.
His varied career as a Marine included duty as a communicator, artillery gunnery sergeant, reconnaissance man, recruiter, a tour with the air wing, and as a monitor at two atomic tests in Nevada. He was promoted to Sergeant Major on 1 April 1968 while serving in Vietnam with the First Marine Division. His service in Vietnam included the Communist Tet Offensive, Operations Auburn and Meade River, the battle at Cam Le, and one long range reconnaissance patrol. Vietnam provided the basis for his book, Vietnam ’68 Jack’s Journal, published in 1989. When retired on 1 May 1978 he was Sergeant Major of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.
After retirement, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in history from Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington) in 1983 and a Master of Arts degree in American history from the University of Washington (Seattle) in 1985. His thesis, The U.S. Marines in the China Relief Expedition, 1900 was published in 1986. At the time of his death, he was a college history instructor. He was married to the former Elizabeth M. Davidson (deceased) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are survived by two sons, Garry and Brian; eight granddaughters and two grandsons; three great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.
His military awards included a Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation with Oak Leaf cluster, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with seven stars, Army Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp, National Defense Service Medal with star, Korean Campaign Medal with seven stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with five stars, Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal, Bravery Gold Medal of Greece, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Colors with Palm, United Nations Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, andRepublic of Korea War Service Medal.
Memorial service 3:00 PM Friday, April 13, 2012 at Bonney-Watson Federal Way, 1535 SW Dash Point Road. A military memorial will be held at a later date during the summer at Tahoma National Cemetery. Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sgt. Major Jaunal’s memory to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (http://www.marineheritage.org/MakeDonation.asp).
Semper Fi Sergeant Major
Semper Fi, Granddad! Love your Granddaughter 🙂
Semper Fi, Sgt Maj Granddad!
My deepest condolences to all the Jaunal family.
my hear goes out to you during this difficult time
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Prayers for peace and closure for the Jaunal family and friends. I know he will be deeply missed.
We first met Jack (SgtMajor) in the late 1980’s at an Evening Parade at Bangor Washington. He became a Life Member of the 1st Marine Division as well as, a Life Member of the old Evergreen, now Bob Boardman Chapter, 1st Marine Division Association. Jack was often asked to serve as guest speaker at numerous Marine Corps related events. His background as a teacher served him well as a writer and speaker. In addition to his family, those of us in the close knit Marine Corps family will miss him as well. Semper Fidelis Sergeant Major
RIP Sergeant Major. The Corps’ was fortunate to have you grace it’s presence and set the pace for those Marines who continue to march. OORAH!
I served with Jack at Kanoehe MCAS, Hawaii from 1959 to 1962,. He was my platoon Sergeant during many temporary duty exercises to the Phillipines, Formosa, Okinawa, Japan and California. Although Jack was a Gung Ho Marine and tough as nails, everyone respected and liked him. I was just 18 years old when I started to serve with Jack and I feel he shaped me for life’s future endeavours as much as my own father did. Semper fi
I was honored to have been a friend of SGTMAJ Jack for the past 20 years. He was what I consider to be the epitome of a career Marine the finest example of a SGTMAJ that a young Marine could hope to emulate. He was the perfect person to teach history since he had lived so much of it himself. Saint Peter. Another honorable Marine is reporting in for duty!
My heart goes out to Suzanne and all of Jack’s family. Suzanne has told me so much about him and what a fine man he was. I only wish I could have met him in person!
Semper Fi Sgt.Major Rest Well you earn it Sir..
Proud to have served with you.
1stComp.RadioCo.
SEMPER FI MARINE
I was recruited by the Sergeant Major in 1966 after graduating from Highline High School in Burien. Served briefly with him at 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in RVN. He is a legend in the Corps, my condolences to his family.
Thank you Sir for your service.
When Jack would speak about the history of the Corps
he had every one ready to ship over again.
Semper Fi Jack
SEMPER FI MARINE! Nothing else needs to be said!
He was my mentor, my hero, my friend.
I’m so glad that I had the opportunity just to know him.
To his family thank you for sharing him.
The streets in Heaven have one more to stand post.
Semper Fidelis,
Sergeant Major Brent Cook
Jack participated in an online interview with the Korean War Educator. As a result, his memoir appears on the KWE website’s Memoirs pages. He will forever be educating the public about the Korean War. Jack was one of the KWE’s strongest supporters, and I will miss his correspondences updating me on Korean War-related matters. I valued his friendship and was very saddened when I heard about his passing from another friend, Boyce Clark.
God Bless Jack Jaunal and his family! I met Jack at the Marine Corp Birthday Ball Nov 2010, and he made a lasting impression on me. As the CG CMC of MFPU Bangor WA, I realized I was seated next to someone special, we talk the entire night and found ourselves emailing one another too. I was so intriged by him and his life I ordered Vietnam ’68 Jack’s Journal that night and learned even more about a man that truly cared about every man/women he ever met in particual his leadership style of really knowing every Marine he served with. You will be missed.
God Bless you!
MCPO Penny Koons
a true warrior ! i served with jack jaunal at the 1st. composite radio co, (fmf), mcas kaenohe bay, hawaii from 5/61 to 2/63. he was my platoon sgt. we have kept in contact since my separation from the usmc in feb 1963, i in fact visited him four times, at his son’s wedding in new castle, de, in overland park, ks, at the naval base in norfold, va. and in seattle wa. he was truly a great man. he nominated me for the board of directors of the marine corps historical (heritage) society, and i served with him for several years. i would like to hear from one of his sons, brian or garry. with deepest wympathy, joe cirelli
Through the years and miles between us, I have often thought very fondly of my Uncle Jack and was deeply saddened to learn of his passing today. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Gary & Brian and families. Rarely in one’s lifetime would you have a chance to know someone of Sergeant Major Jaunal’s character and greatness and yet for me I was simply his “favourite nephew”. It mattered not that I was his only nephew for I was and continue to be very proud of all his accomplishments and service to his country & the cause of freedom. With love and admiration, God Bless You, my favourite Uncle.
Raymond & Mary, Kathryn, Ryan, Madelyn White
One of the best teachers I ever had. As a U.S. Army vet and fellow PLU grad the world truly lost a great human being. But he touched and influenced many lives. He is missed. Semper Fi and god rest.
Carl Menge
I realize that I am two years late in signing this, but I did not find it until this evening (08/16/2013). Jack was my father in law and I respected and loved him. I was so proud of him and how he managed to rise from an unfortunate childhood to the father, husband, grandfather and USM he was.
I realize that I am two years late in signing this, but I did not find it until this evening (08/16/2013). Jack was my father in law and I respected and loved him. I was so proud of him and how he managed to rise from an unfortunate childhood to the father, husband, grandfather and USM he was.
Just finished reading “VIETNAM ’68” for the third time.I lived in the Sergeant Majors Recruiting Office in Burien for months in 1965. After HS graduation three buddies were enlisted by him and SSgt Terry Hummer. We harrased those two a little bit too much. In boot camp myelf and a buddy were called into duty hut and told that they had received a note from Jack and subsequently our promotion warrants to PFC were torn up and thrown at us. He didn’t get mad, he got even. I have thought of him warmly my entire life. He was an inspiration to a multitude of Marines over 3 decades. Semper Fi Marine.
Just found this, I served from 54 to 60 and was with him with 1st AAA 29 Palms. He sent me to ABC (Atomic Biological Chemical Warfare) school. Upon he assigned me to go with him to the atomic bomb test site in Nevada. He was without a doubt the most Marine Marine I ever met and will never forget him. I know he is with Puller and Basilone.
My recruiter…poster Marine. I wanted to be just like him. Terry Gummer, the other recruiter, not so much.