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| Tech Sergeant John Jenkins served with the 65th Cavalry Recon Troop in Germany. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177696024/john-arthur-jenkins https://www.lonesentry.com/unithistory/65th_campshelby/pg/pg152.html |
John Arthur "Art" Jenkins never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on October 16, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan. His parents Neal and Helen were born in Michigan and Missouri, respectively. His father worked as an office draftsman. By 1930, the family had moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Neal was a furniture salesman. Art had three older sisters and a younger brother and sister. By 1940 Art had completed three years of college. He was living at home and worked as a gas station attendant. At some point he married his wife Shirley.
He was drafted into the army on March 18, 1941. He eventually reached the rank of tech sergeant in the 65th Infantry Division's Reconnaissance Troop. The 65th ID did not reach France until late January 1945. It was sent to the front lines in early March. Because this division joined the fighting so late, it suffered relatively few casualties. Reports show less than 200 men killed in action. Sgt. Jenkins ended up in Linz, Austria when Germany finally surrendered.
With the fighting done, the 65th ID switched to an occupation role, waiting for orders to go back to America. On August 11, Sgt. Jenkins wrote his family that he was excited to return home. Surprisingly, he was killed under mysterious circumstances on August 22, 1945, which happened to be his wedding anniversary. It could have been an accident. One buddy later told the family it was murder. The official cause of death was suicide, because any other classification would have required his unit to remain in Germany and not return home as planned. His family did not accept this reason, but it looks like the truth was never discovered.
His grave is at Valhalla Cemetery in Bel-Nor, Missouri. I don't know what happened to his widow.
B-17 co-pilot Aaron Cuddeback was born on the same date as John Jenkins, but one year earlier. You can read about Aaron here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
What a tragic end for young Soldier...RIP Sgt Jenkins
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