Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private First Class Robert Henry Jenkins Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on March 5, 1969 at Fire Support Base Argonne, DMZ, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (rein) FMF. Jenkins was 20 years old.
Jenkins was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on April 20, 1970 — the White House, presented by Vice Pres. Spiro T. Agnew to his family.
Jenkins was born on June 1, 1948 in Interlachen, Putnam County, Florida. His Medal of Honor is credited to Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. He is buried at Sister Spring Baptist Cemetery in Interlachen, Florida.
Jenkins is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 24 credited to Florida.
Official Medal of Honor 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 two-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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
Absorbing the full impact of the detonation, Pfc. Jenkins was seriously injured and subsequently succumbed to his wounds.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (March 5, 1969).
- Age at death: 20
- Resting place: Sister Spring Baptist Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Henry Jenkins Jr. received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Florida →
Timeline
- June 1, 1948Born in Interlachen, Putnam County, Florida
- March 5, 1969Act of valor — Fire Support Base Argonne, DMZ, Republic of VietnamAge 20. 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division (rein) FMF Killed in action.
- April 20, 1970Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe White House, presented by Vice Pres. Spiro T. Agnew to his family
- Resting placeSister Spring Baptist CemeteryInterlachen, Florida
Biography
Robert Henry Jenkins Jr. (June 1, 1948 – March 5, 1969) was a United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty in March 1969 during the Vietnam War.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert H. Jenkins Jr.”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- Interlachen honors Robert Jenkins as part of festivitiespalatkadailynews.com · 2021
