Robert H. Jenkins Jr.

He shielded a fellow Marine from a grenade and gave his life

Robert Henry Jenkins Jr. was born in Interlachen, Florida, on 1 June 1948. He attended Oak Grove Elementary School and Central Academy High School in Palatka before enlisting in the Marine Corps on 2 February 1968. After recruit training at Parris Island and infantry training at Camp Lejeune, he reached Vietnam in July 1968. He served with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, as a private first class.

On 5 March 1969, his twelve-man reconnaissance team occupied Fire Support Base Argonne south of the Demilitarized Zone. Enemy troops attacked with mortars, automatic weapons and grenades. Jenkins and fellow Marine Fred Ostrom fought from their position until an enemy grenade landed beside them. Jenkins pulled Ostrom down and covered him with his own body, absorbing the blast. Although Ostrom survived, Jenkins suffered fatal wounds.

His selfless act earned the Medal of Honor posthumously. The award was presented to his family on 20 April 1970. Jenkins had no postwar career: he died while protecting a comrade during the battle. His name is recorded on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and remembered in his Florida community.

Medal of Honor citation excerpt

“He gallantly gave his life for his country.”