David C. Jenkins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to David C. Jenkins (331749), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Korea, on 25 September 1950. Corporal Jenkins was serving with a rifle platoon which was proceeding forward for the attack as the advance guard of his company. Suddenly the platoon received heavy enemy small arms and machine gun fire and was forced to take cover. During the time the order was passed to withdraw, Corporal Jenkins and a hospital corpsman were administering aid to two seriously wounded Marines. Disregarding the order to withdraw, he and the hospital corpsman fearlessly remained at the side of the two wounded Marines and continued administering aid. They then protected them by firing their own weapons until members of their platoon came forward and laid down a smoke screen so that Corporal Jenkins and the hospital corpsman could successfully evacuate the two wounded Marines. By this action, the wounded Marines were materially aided in receiving medical attention much earlier than would have otherwise been possible. Corporal Jenkins’ display of initiative and heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.