I have spent considerable time on this claim of a medal being awarded. Days ago I located the actual report of the commanding officer of the ship Jackson served on during the major battle at Mobile Bay Alabama in August 1864.
Here it is...

But the commander of the USS Richmond made no such remarks in his report of the day to his Admiral. He clearly stated the opposite when writing that his men only suffered 2 minor injuries.
Jackson's claims for disability pensions in later years give various dates, types of injuries and how caused. The gist seems to be that at some point his right hand, and possibly arm were injured. One claim stating it was caught between the ship and a cutter being moored.
But the injury would seemingly fall far below what one would assume was worthy of his being recognized as a hero. One that would normally see a Medal of Honor being awarded.
No such award was made!
Moving along, the image I included of the Jackson grave stone in Nova Scotia, was off very poor quality. Below is a much better image.
The star shaped marker indicates that Jackson was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a group often mentioned in past blogs.
Switching subject to an actual hero, I have brought the you the story in the past about Patrick Donohoe, who was awarded a Victoria Cross for actions on 28 September 1857 during the Indian Mutiny.
There are many claims that this hero had a brother who served with the US forces and earned a Medal of Honor. Truly a one of a kind story, if true!
But as noted in this space in the past, the two men were NOT RELATED!
While investigating the story I learned that the entire VC group of medals, six in all, that Patrick was awarded were in Western Canada. With the promise to not reveal where they were, I was given the once in a life time opportunity to travel there, to see the medals myself.
During the early 2011 trip I was actually even permitted to hold them. What an honor. This now joins the ranks of the William Hall and Smokey Smith VC's, all having my fingerprints on them. Over the years I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing the late Smokey 4 times.
Patrick Donohoe's VC group of metals, complete with my prints (hmm) came up for auction in England on 26 January, just a few weeks past. They sold for about $382,000 in Canadian dollars. I'm still waiting for my share for the sale of my fingerprints.(hehe)
More hopefully on Sunday,
Bart