Born Jack Benjamin Wilson in 1909 and raised in Leechburg, Pennsylvania, “Pittsburgh Jackie” began boxing professionally in 1929 during boxing’s golden age. He defeated Jack Lemos in 1941 to become the National Box Association Featherweight World Champion from 1941 to 1943. During his 18-year career, he boxed in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, England, and Australia and compiled a lifetime record of 101-45-8. He was known abroad as “The Little Guy with the Big Smile” and at home for his contagious smile. He died in 1966 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. He was inducted into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.