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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Pfc. Robert Henry Jenkins Jr., US Marine Corps
Robert H. Jenkins, Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in March 1969, was born 1 June 1948, in Interlachen, Florida. He attended Oak Grove Elementary School from 1955 until 1963, and Central Academy High School from 1963 until 1967 in Palatka, Florida.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in Jacksonville, Florida, 2 February 1968, and received recruit training with the 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He was promoted to private first class, 1 April 1968.
Transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he underwent individual combat training with the 2d Infantry Training Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, and infantry special training with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion, completing the latter in May 1968.
Private First Class Jenkins was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1968, and assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division. Later that month, he was reassigned as a scout and driver with Company C, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. While serving as a machine gunner with Company C at Fire Support Base Argonne, south of the Demilitarized Zone on 5 March 1969, he was killed in action.
A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Private First Class Jenkins was survived by his father, Mr. Robert H. Jenkins, Sr., his mother, Mrs. Willie Mae Jenkins, three sisters, and one brother, all of Interlachen, Florida.
Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Pfc. Robert Henry Jenkins Jr. Continued
PFC Robert H. Jenkins leaving for FSB Argonne on 3 March 1969. Jenkins was killed on the 5th of March. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Fire Support Base Argonne, Republic of Vietnam, 5 March 1969. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 1 June 1948, Interlachen, Fla. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Company C, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. Early in the morning Pfc. Jenkins' 12-man reconnaissance team was occupying a defensive position at Fire Support Base Argonne south of the Demilitarized Zone. Suddenly, the marines were assaulted by a North Vietnamese Army platoon employing mortars, automatic weapons, and hand grenades. Reacting instantly, Pfc. Jenkins and another marine quickly moved into a 2-man fighting emplacement, and as they boldly delivered accurate machine gun fire against the enemy, a North Vietnamese soldier threw a hand grenade into the friendly emplacement. Fully realizing the inevitable results of his actions, Pfc. Jenkins quickly seized his comrade, and pushing the man to the ground, he leaped on top of the marine to shield him from the explosion. Absorbing the full impact of the detonation, Pfc. Jenkins was seriously injured and subsequently succumbed to his wounds. His courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved a fellow marine from serious injury or possible death and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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