Reflections on LCpl Jenkins's
US Marine Corps Service
Reflections On My Service
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
My father was wounded on Iwo Jima and when the movie Sands of Iwo Jima with John Wayne came out in 1949 I was around 8 years old my father took me to see it and we sat through it twice. That is when I knew I was going to join the United States Marine Corps.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
At the time I thought all Marines did was hit the beach and kill bad guy's and that is what I wanted to do. If I would have known they offered other MOS's, I probably would have made a career of the Corps. Big mistake there on my part.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
While in Boot Camp and on the Grinder one day I was summoned back to the Duty Hut and who should be standing behind the door when I pounded on it and reported as ordered. My father who was a SSgt at the time. We got a whole ten minutes to talk and to this day I do not know how he pulled that off. Even the Drill Instructors did not question me when I returned.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My Sharp Shooters Badge I received in Boot Camp. Just missed Expert.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My father MSgt Harley W Jenkins he was wounded on Iwo Jima and did broken time in the Corps but retired with 20 in 1972. Most of his time was with the CID.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While onboard ship heading for Formosa in 1960 I was volunteered to box in a smoker for F/2/4. Why to this day I still do not know. I did not have a pair of tennis shoes and they could not find a pair to fit me so I went out in my stocking feet on a hot canvas cargo hatch to fight a guy a foot taller than me. Only advantage I had and it did not last long was that I was left handed and nobody, not even my so called trainer new it. Well I won the first round and he won the next. Toward the end of the third round the balls of my feet were so blistered I could hardly walk and they called the fight and awarded it to the other guy. (If I would have had Tenney's I would have whipped him). Well I ended up in sick bay and a few day's later we arrived in Formosa to play War Games with the 3rd Mar Div. I could not walk so for the whole exercise I rode in either a jeep or six by the whole time. Not bad for a guy carrying a BAR. What a way to fight a war.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I was going to become a Police Officer but backed out a week before the Academy started instead I hired on with Pacific Bell and did 34 years with them. Mistake number 2, first one was not staying in the Corps and number two the Police Academy.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
1st Marine Div Assoc, 3rd Marine Div Assoc, F/2/4 Assoc, American Legion, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation,American Cold War Veterans Assoc and the NRA
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
It has made me proud of my Country and to finish what I have started. Born In the USA
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
You are in the best the world has to offer. Make us proud Semper Fi & Ooh Rah
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
TWS and the US MARINES
So far I have located two Marines that I was stationed with and last saw in 1962. Been talking ever since. Hoping to locate more.
