Education
He completed 14 combat missions before being shot down over Vienna, Austria on July 16, 1944.
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Lawrence Jenkins
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On the United States" entry into World World War II, Jenkins enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. After an initial assignment as a sheet-metal smith, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program, and learned to fly the B-17 “Flying Fortress”, one of the United States" primary bombers of that era. He was assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron stationed at Foggia Italy.
He was severely wounded by shrapnel which broke both his legs and was then strafed by a 20mm cannon during his parachute descent.
Jenkins was taken prisoner and spent the next 10 months in German captivity – six of them in Stalag 17. Here, the 20-year-old combat veteran became affectionately known by his prison mates as "Junior".
Jenkins credits his youthful determination and the care of an Austrian nun, Sister Maria, with saving his life. After being liberated by Russian forces, Larry was ultimately sent to Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he spent the next two years recovering from his wounds.
After the war, he attended Jackson College and Albion College before embarking on a 30-year career as electronics technician for Radio Corporation of America. Jenkins lives in Michigan, and remains active as a volunteer at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.
Achievements
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His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Purple Heart, the Prisoner Of War Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, The American Campaign Medal, the European Theatre of Operations Campaign Medal (with one Battle Star), the World World War II Victory Medal, and the British Prisoner Of War Meda
Awards
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Distinguished Flying Cross; Purple Heart; Air Medal World War II Victory Medal; Distinguished Flying Cross; Purple Heart; Campaign Medal; Air Medal; American Campaign Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.