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Robert H. Jenkins, Jr.
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 machinegun 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.
Source: Department
of Defense.
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy.
Black Americans in Defense of Our Nation.
Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1985.
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Fritz, John and R. Michael Anderson. "Black Soldiers To Get Memorial."
The Florida Times Union, February 22, 1997. P. A1.
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