Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian

Portrait of Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian Headstone Photograph


Christian

Thomas Jonathan
Jackson, Jr.

November 19, 1915
San Francisco,
California

August 12, 1944
Arras, France

Husband of
Marjorie Lou Wilson
And Father Of
Lou Ellen Wilson Loving

Back of headstone

Great Grandson Of
Confederate General
Thomas Jonathan
"Stonewall" Jackson

1939 Graduate
United States
Military Academy,
West Point, New York

Colonel In The United States
Army Air Corps

Commanding Officer Of
The 361st Fighter Group

Recipient Of The Silver Star

Distinguished Flying Cross
With One Oak Leaf Cluster

Purple Heart

Colonel Christian's Plane Was
Shot Down Over Arras, France.
His Body Was Never Recovered.
Full Name: Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian
AKA: Jack
Location: Section:Monument Hill, Section 2 (H2)
Row:A  Number:21
Reason for Eligibility: Approved, Texas State Cemetery Committee 
Birth Date: November 19, 1915 
Died: August 12, 1944 
Burial Date: Cenotaph 
 

CHRISTIAN, JR., THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON (1915~1944) Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, Jr., Colonel in the United States Army Air Force and great grandson of Confederate General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, was born on November 19, 1915, in San Francisco, California to Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, Sr. and Bertha Marguerite Cook.

Christian attended the University of Chicago before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point on July 1, 1935. On June 12, 1939, he graduated 45th in a class of 456 and chose to enter the Field Artillery branch of the U. S. Army, his father's branch of service, where he was appointed a Second Lieutenant. Soon after making his branch decision, Christian changed his mind and joined the Army Air Corps.

From 1939 to 1941, Christian was a student in Texas at the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Love Field in Dallas, the Air Corps Training Center at Randolph Field and the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, both in San Antonio.

After receiving training as a pilot, Christian was assigned to the Philippines, where, after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, he was reassigned to Bataan, Mindanao, Australia, and Guadalcanal.

With the 1st Air Group, Christian landed on Guadalcanal on August 15, 1942. While there, he flew more than 60 hours in combat missions and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry.

After being granted leave, Christian returned to the United States, where on January 2, 1943, he married Marjorie Lou Ashcroft, whom he met while in Dallas. Their permanent residence was Sulphur Springs.

While in the U. S., he formed and trained the 361st Fighter Group. They were sent to England in November 1943. In Europe, Christian flew more than 70 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. In March 1944 he was promoted to full Colonel.

While overseas, Christian became a father. His daughter, Lou Ellen, was born in January 1944, in Dallas.

Having never met his daughter, Christian was killed in action on August 12, 1944, while flying a P-51 Mustang, which was named Lou IV, in honor of his daughter. Colonel Christian was shot down over Arras, France and his body was never recovered.

Additional Multimedia Files To Download:

#10102) Title:Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. J. Christian (Marjorie Lou Ashcroft)
Source:Lou Christian Loving
Description:

#12040) Title:Christian marker in the British Military Cemetery in Arras
Source:Laurent Wiart, Director of the Midiathhque d'Arras
Description:

#12043) Title:Memorial Marker in Boisleux-au-Mont
Source:Laurent Wiart, Director of the Midiathhque d'Arras
Description:This marker was dedicated in honor of Colonel Christian and all of the members of the U.S.A.A.F., who died in the region of Boisleux-au- Mont, between 1942 and 1944.

 

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