The Ledbetter Family
Story

Jack Wallace and Annapolis

A congressman's appointment, a Washington visit, and the Class of 1951

Jack Wallace Ledbetter was president of the Senior Class at Austin High School in 1947. That spring, Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson offered him an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.1

The Appointment

Jack was initially second alternate. He passed the ROTC physical and the entrance exam. Then, on June 29, 1947:1

Jack W. received wire from Lyndon B. Johnson advising that Duke had withdrawn and that Jack was principal appointee to Annapolis. Jack answered wire accepting appointment.

He had graduated from Austin High on May 30, delivering the welcoming address and receiving the Chamber of Commerce Citizenship Award.1

Washington

On July 9, JJL and Jack visited Johnson’s office at the House Office Building in Washington. Four days later:1

Went to Annapolis this afternoon and saw Jack Wallace. He was sworn in yesterday as a midshipman US Naval Academy.

The Class of 1951

Four years later, on June 1, 1951:2

Attended graduation exercises for Class of 1951 in Dalgren Hall US Naval Academy. Jack Wallace graduated and commissioned as Ensign USN. Gen George C. Marshall made principal address.

JJL attended the Midshipmen’s Parade, the Army-Navy lacrosse game, and the Baccalaureate Sermon at the Naval Academy Chapel in the days before graduation. On July 4, Jack left Kelly Field for San Francisco — headed for naval service.2

JJL had been at Brooke Army Hospital three months earlier, where surgeons removed most of his stomach. He traveled to Annapolis anyway.2

Marriage and Family

Jack married Iris Geraldine Amick on September 3, 1952, in Austin.4

On July 19, 1954, the phone rang before dawn:3

Jack W. Ledbetter called from Norfolk about 5:50 a.m. Reported that son John Jackson Ledbetter II, wt 6 lb 9½ oz born in Norfolk at 4:51 a.m., EST, 3:51 a.m. CST.

John Jackson Ledbetter II was JJL’s first grandchild. Three more followed: Robert Gordon (1960), Brenda Jean (1961), and Glenn Andrew (1963).4

Jack Wallace Ledbetter later married Bille Vaughn Bailey on November 25, 1979, in Austin.

Sources

  1. JJL Jr. Diary 1947 transcription — JJLJr-Diaries-1945-1961.pdf
  2. JJL Jr. Diary 1951 transcription — JJLJr-Diaries-1945-1961.pdf
  3. JJL Jr. Diary 1954 transcription — JJLJr-Diaries-1945-1961.pdf
  4. JJLHIST.pdf — Genealogy of Ledbetter descendants — JJLHIST.pdf, p. 17