Gregory J. (Greg) Jacobs

• Staff Sergeant
• Vietnam War
• Awarded Two Purple Hearts, Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 4 Battle stars. and the Presidential Unit Ribbon, and most notably, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Medal with Palm Leaf, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Star and the Vietnamese Presidential Unit Medal and a Purple Heart Medal with 1 star , Bronze Star Medal with V Device.

Wounded in the line of Duty.

Born August 28, 1947; deceased January 9, 2021; interred Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, WI.

What Is a Marine?
Civilians cannot and will not understand us, because they are not one of us. If you have never been in it, you will never understand it. The Corps! We love it, live it, and will die for it. The Title! No one alive can buy it for any price. It cannot be inherited nor can it ever be purchased. It is impossible to rent and it cannot be lent. We alone, and our own, have earned it with our blood, sweat and tears. We own it forever!
Greg cared enough to make a difference.
Semper Fidelis!
Mr. Jacobs was born in Milwaukee, WI. After graduating high school, Greg entered the Marine Corp. He did three tours in Vietnam from 1966-1968, training as a field radio operator/communication specialist. Following his tours in Vietnam, Greg toured Europe on a military ship where he served as military police and escort. They participated in War Games with other countries. While he was in Greece, Greg was involved in the beach scenes during the filming of the of the movie Patton. It was at this time that he got the opportunity to “rub elbows” with George C. Scott. Greg was honorably discharged for the Marine Corp in 1969. After returning from Vietnam, Greg married Janis Lentz on July 11, 1970 and recently celebrated 50 years of marriage Together they had a son John Jacobs. From 1970-1988 Greg worked in various sales and management positions in the Milwaukee area. From 1988-98 Greg worked for the State of Wisconsin Job Service, Milwaukee as a disabled veteran outreach program specialist where he provided employment assistance and counseling to veterans, placing special emphasis and preference to disabled and other targeted veterans. From 1998-2010, he again worked for the State of Wisconsin as a vocational rehabilitation program coordinator, where he continued counseling veterans, in addition to personally developing a follow-up and tracking system covering a full state demographic area with a staff of 80+ people including VA Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists and Counseling Psychiatrists. In 1991, Greg, along with a group of volunteers from various Veteran organizations, created an event twice a year, targeting at-risk and homeless veterans, called The Stand Down. The Stand Down events were held at the Richards Street Armory in Milwaukee with a mission to provide a “hand-up not a hand-out”. It focused on providing services, such as medical, dental, optical, haircuts, job counseling, housing, various counseling to the veterans. They were also provided breakfast and lunch, clothing, eyeglasses, as well a judge who volunteered his time to grant clemency on misdemeanors, parking tickets, and other various legal issues. Greg took great pride in the fact that these events were all volunteer-based and no one received any compensation for their time. These Stand Downs continue every February and September.
Greg was an active life member of DAV Chapter 44 where he held positions as Commander, Senior and Junior Vice Commander, Legislative Officer, First District Commander, Department Senior Vice Commander and Junior Vice Commander. He was on the Board of Director of the War Memorial in Milwaukee, and a delegate of the Milwaukee County Allied Veterans Council where he served as president, vice president and treasurer. Greg was also an active member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 96 where he held positions as Senior Vice Commander and other offices. He was an active life member of the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1, where he served as Vice President. This chapter held various local and statewide activities including parades and public speaking to various schools and community groups. He was an active member of AMVETS Post 60 and the Marine Corp League, Badger Detachment.
Greg was a member of the Board of Directors, Milwaukee County FEMA since 1995, this group were overseers of the shelter and food pantry programs in Milwaukee County. He was also a volunteer counselor at Wisconsin Nazarene Compassionate Care Center where he developed a program to house homeless veterans in need of drug and alcohol program assistance. Greg was voted Veteran of the Year in Milwaukee County, the Thomas Litherland Award recognizing his service to veterans in 1990, he also received the Patrick Henry Award in 2008 which is award to an individual who has distinguished himself over an extended period of time in their support of the Armed Forces of the United States. In 1990 Greg was selected as the IAPES DEVOP of the Year for his achievement in service to veterans based on participation in professional, community, church and veterans organization activity that demonstrated outstanding performance beyond the normal expectations of job requirements. He also received the DAV National Commanders Award in 1990.
In his free time Greg, spent many weekends over 30 years, displaying, selling and sharing his vast knowledge and gun collection at gun shows throughout Southern Wisconsin.