Know Your South Carolina Athlete

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private First Class Douglas Thomas Jacobson (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 26, 1945, on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Island, 26 February 1945. Promptly destroying a stubborn 20mm. antiaircraft gun and its crew after assuming the duties of a bazooka man who had been killed, Pfc. Jacobson waged a relentless battle as his unit fought desperately toward the summit of Hill 382 in an effort to penetrate the heart of Japanese cross-island defense. Employing his weapon with ready accuracy when his platoon was halted by overwhelming enemy fire on 26 February, he first destroyed 2 hostile machinegun positions, then attacked a large blockhouse, completely neutralizing the fortification before dispatching the 5-man crew of a second pillbox and exploding the installation with a terrific demolitions blast. Moving steadily forward, he wiped out an earth-covered rifle emplacement and, confronted by a cluster of similar emplacements which constituted the perimeter of enemy defenses in his assigned sector, fearlessly advanced, quickly reduced all 6 positions to a shambles, killed 10 of the enemy, and enabled our forces to occupy the strong point. Determined to widen the breach thus forced, he volunteered his services to an adjacent assault company, neutralized a pillbox holding up its advance, opened fire on a Japanese tank pouring a steady stream of bullets on 1 of our supporting tanks, and smashed the enemy tank's gun turret in a brief but furious action culminating in a single-handed assault against still another blockhouse and the subsequent neutralization of its firepower. By his dauntless skill and valor, Pfc. Jacobson destroyed a total of 16 enemy positions and annihilated approximately 75 Japanese, thereby contributing essentially to the success of his division's operations against this fanatically defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His gallant conduct in the face of tremendous odds enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Sergeant Major Eugene P. Jacobson (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 2, 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia. His citation reads:

Bravery in conducting a scouting party in front of the enemy.

Private Isaac James (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 2, 1865, at Petersburg, Virginia. His citation reads:

Capture of flag.


The I’m just sayin… Know Your South Carolina Athlete

The South Carolina athlete we are going to look at this week is Lawrence Timmons. Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons was born on May 14, 1986 in Florence, South Carolina. Timmons played high school football at Wilson High School in Florence, South Carolina playing tight end and linebacker. During his senior year he was awarded as the Defensive Player of the Year and received Super Prep Elite 50 honors. He was also selected to play in the 2003 East-West Shrine Game. Timmons played college football at Florida State University. He chose Florida State over numerous colleges including Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. After being used mainly on special teams and as a backup linebacker for his first two years, he became a starter during his junior year after Ernie Sims was drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft. He had a great season recording 79 tackles and five sacks, and was honored with All-American third-team and All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team. He finished his college career with 126 tackles and eight sacks.

He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 15th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he played in 16 games recording 13 tackles. Timmons' playing time increased during his second season in 2008. He finished the season with 65 tackles, five sacks and an interception. In Super Bowl XLIII he recorded 5 tackles in the 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Timmons took over as starter for the 2009 season following the release of Larry Foote, who had wanted out due to Timmons's increasing playing time. Foote would return to the Steelers the following year to be Timmons' backup. In 2010, despite getting less acclaim than many on the Steelers defense, he led the team in tackles with 135, also recording 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions.

Lawrence's mother, a huge basketball fan, named Timmons after NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon by giving him the middle name Olajuwon.

Congrats to Lawrence Timmons for being the SC athlete you should know this week.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the info!