Blackbird Fan Dedication Page
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This dedication is in memory of “JACK HARA”, a fan of the Blackbird.
Jack was born June 21, 1919, in Mayfield CA. He was a PRCA Gold Card member, and a two-time Northwest Champion saddle bronc rider. He rode with the Flying U Rodeo and was a member of the Cowboys’ Turtle Association, which is the forerunner to the Rodeo Cowboys Association and the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association).
Jack Hara joined the navy in 1941. His many heroic actions were served during the assault landings at Guadalcanal, Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Okinawa, also in the resupply of Russian Allies in the mine laced waters of the North Atlantic and in the North African Invasions.
Jack was a Chief Petty Officer Assigned to the U.S.S Barnett, an Attack Transport (AP-11)(APA 5). He piloted his LCVP many times in each operation directly onto the beaches. The U.S.S Barnett survived direct hits and set on fire by nazi dive bombers during the invasion of Sicily and kamikaze strikes during the Okinawa invasion which resulted in many deaths on board.
When assigned to Task Force “O” in operation Overlord and Neptune during the invasion at Normandy, Jack made numerous successful landings against insurmountable odds in the main push of the American assault forces of the 1st, 4th, and 29th Infantry Divisions, which were the spearhead of the invasion at Utah and Omaha Beaches.
During the Okinawa invasion, other LCVP’s hit bottom while advancing through coral laden shallows. Thinking that this was the shoreline many men were dropped in the water only to sink deeper and drown while advancing toward the shore. Jack knew that he must keep going even at the risk of damaging his LCVP. As he advanced, Jacks LCVP hit the hard coral and suffered rudder control damage. Without concern for his own safety, under heavy enemy fire, Jack jumped into the water to manually control the direction of his LCVP in order to deliver his men safety onto the shore.
Jack was a quiet, modest man, after his passing in 1998, I was told that his awards and decorations were stolen and lost. I was given permission by his wife to apply for replacements. The Dept of the Navy sent a letter showing his eligibility for the following awards.
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star Attachment
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Good Conduct Medal
Navy Honorable Discharge Button
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Star Attachments
Honorable Service Lapel Button
Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Unit Commendation
Plus other medals and awards and citations.
The U.S.S. Barnett earned seven Battle Stars.
Jack never spoke of what he experience during the war. But when I was assigned to the Blackbird program I gave Jack a little tour of the Beale AFB flight line and when he saw the SR-71 Blackbird he was so amazed by it that he told me these things.
This is a link to a story on the web about the invasion of Okinawa-
Below is a letter I was given from his personal things after his passing.
Here's a young Jack Hara, on his 1928 JD, Harley Davidson, 1935 -1938 ???
High above his cattle ranch in Wellington NV Jack rides in the Pine Nut mountains.
Below is the Walker River winding through the Smith Valley.