This is why the flags are at half-staff today. What an amazing story!

Flags around Idaho are half-staff today to celebrate the life of a true Idaho hero.

According to KTVB, WWII Medal of Honor recipient, Arthur Jackson, died at the Idaho Veterans Home on Wednesday night.

To celebrate his amazing service to our country, flags around the state are being flown at half-staff.

It was in September of 1944 on the island of Peleliu. Jackson shared his experience for a video called "Medal of Honor Book."

"When we hit the beach there was about seven feet of water and I looked down the beach in both directions and it was on fire," said Jackson.

He said they were held up on the neck of the peninsula for two weeks with little food or water. His platoon leader asked him if he could get into a trench and go after the enemy.

The mission was one that family friend, Rocci Johnson, says he wasn't expected to survive.

"They said it's a suicide mission and he said just strap me up with all the ammunition possible and jumped out of the fox hole and off he went," said Johnson.

Jackson wiped out 12 concrete dug-in guard posts known as pillboxes. Fifty Japanese soldiers were killed.

"When the troops came up honest to God I felt like I was a ball player who just made the winning touchdown," said Jackson.

It was a success in the battle lasting two months. 1,800 American soldiers didn't make it off the island alive.

President Harry Truman awarded Jackson with the Congressional Medal of Honor in October 1945. It is the highest and most prestigious personal military decoration.

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