Graphic reads “AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR; Honoring Marines from Our Legacy; BLACK HISTORY MONTH; PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, ROBERT H. JENKINS, JR., UNIT: 3RECON BN, 3MARDIV; VIETNAM WAR, MARCH 1969.” The layout consists of a brown cloth texture background with an image of the Medal of Honor in the upper left corner in color. Additionally, a photo of Oscar Austin has been subdued and blended into the background. The graphic was created on January 27, 2022 at Communication Strategy & Operations, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Ca. and intended for use by Marine Corps Installations West to highlight African American Marine Medal of Honor recipients during the African American History Month. (U.S. Marine Corps graphics by David G. Smith)
Citation included: The President of the United States in the name of United States Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT H. JENKINS JR., UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Marine Gunner with Company C, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 5 March 1969, Private First Class Jenkins' twelve-man reconnaissance team was occupying a defensive position at Fire Support Base Argonne south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. Suddenly, the Marines were assaulted by a North Vietnamese Army platoon employing mortar, automatic weapons, and hand grenades. Reacting instantly, Private First Class 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 action, Private First Class 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, Private First Class 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 United States Navy. He gallantly gave his life for his country. /S/ RICHARD M. NIXON
Date Taken: | 01.27.2022 |
Published: | 02-03-22 04:40 PM |
Graphic ID: | 18960 |
VIRIN: | 220127-M-VL690-005 |
Size: | 3.16 MB |
Location: |
Web Views: | 16 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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