In the early 20th century, Jack Henry epitomized the spirit of adventure among itinerant prospectors chasing fortunes across Alaska.
A skilled miner and a renowned baseball player, he became a local legend in Anchorage, a town that was just beginning to take shape.
However, his path took a fateful turn when he answered the call of duty and went off to fight in World War I – a decision that would ultimately claim his life.
Jack Henry was born in 1888 to John A. and Alice Henry in northern Minnesota, growing up near the North Dakota border.
He graduated high school in Grand Forks, where he was celebrated as one of the best atheletes, a reputation that stayed with him throughout his life.
Though the family farm provided a modest living, it was the allure of gold that captured Henry’s imagination, inspired by the tales of wealth from the Klondike gold rush and subsequent strikes across Alaska.
Jack likely ventured north around the age of 18, drawn to the promise of fortune in mining districts such as Delta Junction and Willow Creek.
As gold fever waned in the early 1900s, prospectors began to identify themselves with specific areas of expertise or success.
For Jack, that identity became established as a “Willow Creek Man” and later a “Matanuska Man.”
The founding of Anchorage in 1915 transformed the region into a booming hub as settlers flocked to the new town, drawn by the construction of the Alaska Railroad.
As reported in the Cook Inlet Pioneer, many newcomers were actively pursuing various opportunities, while others were just biding their time for fortune to find them.
Jack Henry found himself in Anchorage, intrigued by its possibilities but cautious about committing to this new place.
By November 1916, he still identified as a “Matanuska Man,” opting to watch the steamer traffic rather than invest too much yet.
In April 1917, however, he officially moved to Anchorage, taking a job at Robarts Billiard Hall on Fourth Avenue at C Street.
In a dry town like Anchorage, pool halls emerged as social epicenters, and Jack quickly integrated into the community, both at work and on the baseball field.
He became a vital player for the city’s baseball team, renowned for his speed and talent, and quickly became a cherished figure in local sports.
With the world yet again on the brink of war, the United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917.
Committed to his duty, Jack Henry registered for the draft much earlier on August 3 of that year, demonstrating his dedication to service.
He was officially drafted and began his service on May 27, 1918, joining the 91st Infantry Division known as the “Wild West Division.”
The division was composed predominantly of draftees from western states and territories.
In the quick-paced, brutal conditions of World War I, machine guns had become indispensable yet deadly weapons.
Their efficiency in warfare was highlighted in an ominous article from the Anchorage Daily Times in June 1918, showcasing their devastating impact against mass formations of troops.
Jack Henry found himself among those facing this ruthless weaponry as his regiment engaged in combat in France.
On September 29, 1918, the 362nd Regiment encountered German forces at Cierges, where they executed a tactical surprise attack.
Despite the overwhelming odds, they pressed into enemy territory, heading for Gesnes under the watchful and deadly fire of entrenched enemy positions.
The assault was chronicled by the regiment’s official history, which described the horrifying reality of war—men courageously, yet recklessly, advancing into a hail of bullets.
Jack Henry was struck down by enemy fire as he rushed towards the objective after leaving the cover of the woods.
Initially buried in an Army cemetery in the French village of Very, his family later requested his remains be returned to Minnesota, where he was reinterred.
The tragic loss of Jack Henry resonated within the community, prompting local veterans to establish an American Legion post to honor his legacy.
The American Legion was established on March 15, 1919, as a solidarity organization for veterans.
Shortly thereafter, on July 31, Anchorage veterans met to form a local post, which they unanimously decided to name after Jack Henry.
Their charter request to the national American Legion was promptly accepted, making the Jack Henry Post No. 1 the first officially recognized Legion post in Alaska.
Their inaugural meeting took place on September 19, establishing a legacy that continues to this day as a vital resource for veterans.
The Jack Henry Post has since remained a crucial fixture in the Anchorage community, operating from its base on Fireweed Avenue since 1961.
Last year, to further honor Jack Henry’s sacrifice, members of the post advocated successfully for his name to be added to the Veterans’ Memorial at Delaney Park, ensuring that his contributions will never be forgotten.
image source from：https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2025/05/25/a-baseball-loving-world-war-i-fatality-reminds-us-of-the-meaning-behind-memorial-day/
