World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. PFC Lucas received the Medal of Honor from President Truman becoming the youngest Marine to receive the award since the Civil War. At age fourteen and just after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Lucas was determined to enlist in the Marines. Forging his mother's signature he was sent for training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Because of his military school background, he was ordered stateside to train new recruits while his fellow marines were headed to Hawaii for combat. Risking be listed as AWOL he managed to hide away convincing his superiors that he was there because of a clerical error. Five days after he turned seventeen, he landed in Iwo Jima where five thousand men were lost on the first day of combat. The following day his unit destroyed a Japanese pillbox before they took cover in a trench where they were discovered by Japanese soldiers. Firing upon each other, Lucas's gun suddenly became jammed. While trying to get it to work, two grenades landed near him and two other Marines. Covering them with his body, he was severely wounded when one grenade went off . He was discharged in September 1945 and endured twenty-two surgeries and many hospitalizations. The Citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands 20 February 1945. While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain front line on D-plus-1 Day, Private First Class Lucas and three other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by two grenades which landed directly in front of them, Private First Class Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon one grenade and pulled the other one under him, absorbing the whole blasting force of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death, but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Lucas and the United States Naval Service."

On 7 October 2023 the U.S. Navy added its newest Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer to the fleet, the USS Jack H. Lucas. Ruby Lucas, widow of the ship's namesake, was on hand. It's also the first ship named for Jacklyn H. Lucas, who, at age 17, became the Marine Corps' youngest Medal of Honor recipient and the youngest recipient of World War II.