Here are the top stories for the week of Dec. 7, 2020, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

Tricare Open Enrollment Closes Dec. 14

Tricare open season will close on December 14. Those wishing to enroll or make changes to their health care coverage can do so by visiting Tricare Online. If you do not have changes, no action is necessary.

DoD Announces Cost of Living Increases

Most military retirees will be receiving a 1.3% cost of living increase as part of the Department of Defense’s annual adjustments. The increase will begin on Dec. 31, 2020. However, military retirees who retired during the 2020 calendar year and those on the REDUX retirement system may see slightly different annual cost of living adjustments. Visit Defense.gov to see the full details.

Naval Ship Named After Youngest Marine & Medal of Honor Recipient

A new Navy ship, the USS Jack H. Lucas Flight III Arleigh Burke class destroyer, is expected to be commissioned in 2023. The ship was named after Medal of Honor recipient Jacklyn “Jack” Lucas who served as a Marine in WWII. Lucas was just 14 years old when he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves after forging his mother’s signature on the parental consent form, which stated that he was 17 years old. He bribed a notary to sign the form. Lucas had just completed eighth grade and was sent to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. He qualified to be a heavy machine gun crewman, and his rebellious streak continued. After getting an assignment to “stay at a base to relieve older cadres” who were being sent to combat, he wasn’t pleased and wanted in on the action. Lucas stowed away on a ship that was on its way to take part of the invasion of Iwo Jima. Meanwhile, Lucas was declared AWOL and demoted to private.

He surrendered himself to the ship’s commanding officer who then assigned Lucas to C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines. While on the ship, Lucas turned 17 and, six days later, landed on Iwo Jima. During the battle, Lucas’ rifle jammed, and as he looked down to clear the gun, he saw two grenades at his feet. “Lucas dropped onto one of the grenades and pulled the second one underneath him,” said TheDrive.com. Only one of the grenades exploded wounding Lucas severely in his right arm, wrist, leg, thigh, and chest. His comrades thought he was dead and moved on in the fierce battle. Another Marine unit spotted him and were able to get him first aid. After returning to the United States, Lucas was cleared of his AWOL charges and his rank, Private First Class, was reinstated. He endured 21 surgeries and was later presented with the Medal of Honor on Oct. 5, 1945, by President Harry Truman.

This Week in History

On Dec. 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy,” Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. According to the Library of Congress, this act killed more than 2,300 Americans, destroyed the U.S.S. Arizona, and capsized the U.S.S. Oklahoma. Twenty-one ships in total were sunk, beached, or damaged by the attack. An additional 160 aircraft were destroyed and 150 more damaged. The attack propelled the United States into World War II—Congress declared war on Japan the following day.