PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
ROBERT H. JENKINS, USMC (DECEASED) 
 

Medal of Honor Citation

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.

Vietnam War 1965-1973 Medal of Honor