MiD citations are rare, but 'Courage and Service' by Blatherwick and Halliday (Service Publications) include Hackett's:
HACKETT, James, Private (B.76437) - Mention in Despatches - Infantry (The Toronto Scottish Regiment [Machine Gun]) - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 10 October 1942; confirmed by CARO/3580 dated 2 September 1943, "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe." Enlisted in the Irish Regiment of Canada 15 September 1939; transferred to the Toronto Scottish Regiment on 8 January 1940 in Toronto; married to Cammilla Hackett of 6 Lovett Place, Toronto; tinsman pre-war.
During the approach to the beach at Dieppe, 19 August 1942, Private Hackett operated a medium machine gun (MMG) from an exposed position on the forward deck of an L.C.T. Not until the forward ramp was damaged by a direct hit did he leave his post, in order to assist in lowering the ramp to permit the landing of the tanks. Subsequently, as the craft was drawing away from the beach, Private Hackett responded to the Skipper's call for volunteers to replace the killed and wounded Naval personnel who had been operating the anti-aircraft Pom-pom and took over as gunner of one of the two guns. He handled the gun very effectively although repeatedly under heavy fire, and is believed to have actually brought down an enemy aircraft.
His coolness and initiative contributed immensely to the successful handling of the L.C.T. in its approach to and withdrawal from the beach.