Grandmaster Jack Stern Grandmaster Jack
Stern was born back in Nov.9,1929 during the height of the depression in the United States. Being brought up in a very poor family and with two other children he survived and at the age of 14 he tried to enlist in the Army (during
World War 2) but was caught for being underage but he tried again at age 16 by forging his parents signatures and was inducted Feb.1947 into the US Army. He completed his basic training and then took Airborne training and was sent
overseas for Occupation duty in April 1947 to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat team under the 11th Airborne Division which was on occupation duty in South Korea. It was there he met a ROK soldier who today he is still friendly
with. THe young soldier took him to his first dojang and under Master Chung,Tae Ju he then was introduced to Yudo
(which was called that then the Japanese called it Judo).Early 1948 the 11th Airborne Division had finished its
tour of duty and was shipping to Japan. At the time GM Stern was a Shodan (1st Dan Black belt) the unit was stationed at Yokota Airbase near Tokyo. Stern signed up to attend the Kodokan and was also fighting with the Armed Forces
Judo teams. During those early years the Japanese didnt accept Korean Dan grades so he was reduced to 1st Kyu (Ikkyu) after failing the board twice he finally attained a Kodokan Shodan and later Nidan. He was at that time trainingf
three days a week. Later that year he was introduced to some guys studying Karate and it was there he met and trained with the men and met the great Mas.Oyama at his Kyokushinkai hombu. He became very close with his master and as
time went on....so was his tour of duty. Early 1950 his Division was heading for the return to the United States they boarded ships and went to OKinawa for processing home there he met many great masters and met the famous
Yamaguchi Gogen. In June 1950 the Korean conflict and his Division was re-deployed back to Japan and for duty in Korea. In 1953 . After the conflict he re enlisted staying in Japan continuing his studies in martial arts. In 1958 he
returned to the states and then later left the military and then concentrated on civilian life and in 1960 he opened the famous PAJA DOJO in New York which he kept till 1982. In 1964 he hosted Mas.Oyama on his visit to the states
and he stayed at Sterns home. Also in 1964-65 Stern appeared doing two shows daily at the New York Worlds Fair in the Japanese Pavillion under the tutiledge of Grandmaster Naraki Hara. Also he hosted Grandmaster Robert Trias at his
Paja Dojo and many other dignataries. Today Grandmaster Stern in his 70's just goes on seminars all over and has founded the Oldest Most Elite and Prestigious Assn. of Mixed Martial Artists World Wide. You can locate him at: