Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Sergeant Arnold Noel Jaco, a brave U.S. Airman who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He was just 23 years old.
A resident of Benton, Kentucky, Sgt. Jaco served with unwavering commitment with the 554th Reconnaissance Squadron, 553rd Reconnaissance Wing, 7th Air Force.
Sgt. Jaco was killed when his aircraft crashed just 200 feet away from the runway during a rainstorm at Korat Air Base in Thailand after returning from a 13-hour recon mission over Southeast Asia. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.
Beginning his tour in Vietnam on April 14, 1969, Sgt. Jaco’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of an Airman who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.
Sgt. Jaco’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W18, Line 47, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
To learn more about Sgt. Jaco and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.
If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to Sgt. Jaco or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.
