Embedded Files
School and early career
Born 25th May 1920 at Calexico, Imperial County, California to Eldridge Travis Jenkins and Una E Stover Jenkins, the family lived in San Bernadino, California. He had an older brother, Paul Jenkins who served with the Army Engineers in Greenland and an older sister, Virginia.
Robert graduated in 1938 from San Bernardino high school then started work as a mechanic at the Santa Fe railroad roundhouse.
Growing pains
15th October 1941 got a 15 dollar driving ticket at West Covina, California (equivalent to 320 dollars in 2023).
The hand written note on the back of the receipt says: 'Tailed from West Covina city limits for 2 miles, passed 10 cars on both left and right side, cutting in and out, reckless driving, clocked at 72mph, racing a 41 Mercury sedan'.
Declaration of War
Less than two months after Robert got his ticket, America was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbour. America declared war on Japan then on the 11th of December 1941 on Germany.
Enlistment
Robert enlisted at his local board on the 1st of July 1941 (ie before the declaration of war).
He's 6 feet (1m81) tall and weighs 195lbs (88kg). His occupation in 1941 is a machinist helper at the Santa Fe workshops located in San Bernardino.
He gives his mother's name as someone who'll always know his address. He lives at the same adress as his mother. The later, USAAF record, gives his father's name as the next of kin and their address is different, but still in San Bernardino.
His birthdate here is the 25th May 1920 at Calexico, California.
Brothers in arms
The San Bernardino Daily Sun reports on the 23rd February 1944 that the two brothers, Paul (26) and Robert Jenkins (23) are serving in the army.
USAAF Training and engagement
18th September 1942, Enlisted in the army air corps at March Field, his army serial number is 19091533.
Basic training at Lancaster, California.
Primary flight training at King city, California.
Graduated and commisioned at Luke field, Arizona, his USAAF officer number is O-763619.
Advanced tactical training at Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Whilst stationed at Baton Rouge, he got engaged to Mary Jane Sillik.
Newspaper cuttings - originals from Natasha Jenkins, source:
The San Bernardino County Sun 27th January 1944 (Engagement)
The San Bernardino County Sun 29th January 1944 (At fighter base)
The San Bernardino County Sun 23rd July 1944 (Flying against Nazis)
Pay Roll, Luke Field Arizona
Robert's 'Official Military Personnel File' along with the records of Army personnel for the period 1912 to 1959 were destroyed in a fire at St. Louis in 1973, but this payroll document was saved. Its the pay notification for several airmen based at Luke Field Arizona in January 1944. Robert was paid 21 dollars for this pay period.
The squadron is the 305th Single engine flying training group.
Service in England
Robert, like other pilots newly arrived from the US went to Atcham, Somerset, England, to be checked out. On the 26th June 1944 he joined the 63rd Squadron at Boxted, Essex, England, classified as a trainee. Robert replaced another pilot on his first operational mission over Europe on the 11th of July 1944, flying as Blue Two to Donald Peters. The squadron met the bombers over Walcheren island, west of Holland and escorted them as far as Stuttgart before turning back, flying along the border between France and Belgium. Marvin Becker and Roach Stewart were also on this mission but not Donald Goodfleisch.
Robert wrote home on the 3rd of July 1944, describing his way of life. Its a little difficult to read but with help from my mother, we believe he says:
"Dear Mum & Dad,
I’ll bet you get this on as about July 18th. Of course, the 4th of July will be past then but I’ll bet it will be quite a holiday for most of the folks at home. Of course, there is a war on and it won’t be quite like our old holidays in the mountains or at the beach, but people can forget the war for a little while. Most of the ones here can for a little while even.
Most of us don't even pay attention to the air raid sirens unless we're on an alert etc. except for our missions on enemy territory. We really have it soft here and of course that's the way we like it. At a fighter base everyone realises that it's the pilot who is sticking his neck out and they really make it easy for you.
We have a snack bar here, recreation room and flight sergeant down on the line for each squadron. They even have what we call a Flak-foam which is a seat easy for pilots that get shot at too much and get a little nauseous, possibly from gold sickness, escaped a near miss too. The pilots all wear flying jackets and usually a pistol & knife on their belt when around camp.
At the evening meal if you're not on a mission or near one you dress up, that is wear a blouse. We have a swell club that is adjacent to the Officers Mess. It has a bar in part of it and a large lounge with the memos and credited stories of all our aces.
The daily rag for us is the "Stars & Stripes" a very good paper. We're able to pretty well keep up with things through it. I don't know whether I told you that McMahan is in the same building as mine and we go on missions together. I don't know where Dale is now, but he went through the same training group that I did, about a month before I did.
I've been through London since I've been in England and found it to be quite a tour. All the buildings are quite low and the city is spread all over. The people are apparently missing their wheels, they and you can walk along a street and suddenly someone will start running for no apparent reason. They seem to be in a hurry to get some place but I don't think they know where. Most of the people here in England isn’t much different than any people, though it takes all kinds. Boy! It's raining like it does in "Bendro" now. Guess I'll sign off and write a cupla other letters.
Still in good shape, Robert"
Death, age 24
On his second mission over Europe, the 15th July 1944, Robert E. Jenkins aged 24, died at Molineuf, Loir et Cher, France.
Source: Pilot Class Book 44-A, Luke Field, Arizona.
Purple Heart
Robert E. Jenkins, at the request of the president, was awarded the Purple Heart medal on the 12th December 1944
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