A Memorial Day Salute to a Fallen Hero

Posted on by BonnieReadsAndWrites

This is a tribute to my Uncle Wayne Jenkins, who died in Vietnam in 1968, four days before his 21st birthday. He will always be our hero. Below are some photos and some information that I found on the FindAGrave Website.

Specialist Four Wayne Daniel Jenkins was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, SP4 Jenkins served our country until September 12th, 1968 in Bing Long, South Vietnam. He was 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that Wayne died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. Wayne was born on September 16th, 1947 in Bryson City, North Carolina. SP4 Jenkins is on panel 44W, line 038 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year. 

Sp4 Jenkins, this is in remembrance of you and the members of your squad who were ambushed on September 12, 1968, while on reconnaissance 5 kilometers Northeast of Loc Ninh, Binh Long Province, Vietnam. That day was a long and sad day for Alpha Company, 1st Battalion 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. You will never be forgotten. Niner One.

Find A Grave Page for Wayne D. Jenkins

Wayne D. Jenkins

VIETNAM WALL PHOTO

BRYSON CITY, NC: Resting Place: Blankenship Cemetery.

We will always remember you, and wonder what might have been. I never got to know you because you died when I was four years old, but you will always be honored by our family.

Please tell us all about your fallen heroes in the comments section.

Published by BonnieReadsAndWrites

I love to read and write book reviews in my free time. I review advance review copies of books on Netgalley for various publishers. I am also a reviewer for Historical Novels Review Magazine, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. I review books from publishers of all size, large to small. I have a special place in my heart for indie authors. I will sometimes post a little writing that I might dabble in occasionally. I also am lucky enough to live in the Smoky Mountains, so I'll be sharing photos of the beauty around me from time to time.

14 thoughts on “A Memorial Day Salute to a Fallen Hero”

  1. This post is such a moving tribute to your uncle and all those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thanks for the reminder of what today’s holiday is all about.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Bonnie, what a wonderful tribute to him. My dad served and was badly wounded in WWII in the Philippines, so I especially treasure acknowledgement of our courageous soldiers. Also, I remember in 7th grade home-ec class we sent several care packages to soldiers in Vietnam War and they, in return, sent such warm and endearing letters to us in return. It was a controversial war, for sure, but God bless your uncle and all who have given and risked their lives in every war involving our brave soldiers.

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  7. Beautiful tribute, Bonnie. Too many don’t seem to understand the significance of Memorial Day so thank you for this moving reminder of all those who sacrificed. Prayers for your uncle and your family.

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