Henry L. Jenkins

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Henry L. Jenkins (39677477), Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, for for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman attached to Company H, 161st Infantry Regiment, in action at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 31 July 1943. During the XIV Corps attack on Munda Airfield the 2d Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment engaged a heavily defended Japanese strongpoint on a hill. The enemy defenses consisted of well concealed machine guns and rifle emplacements which covered all approaches to the hill. Fallen trees and underbrush limited observation on the ground to thirty yards. In the hot, clear morning of 31 July 1943 Company E, 161st Infantry and a machine gun platoon of Company H attacked the hill. At 1700 the leading elements had advanced to a point near the crest of the hill. Suddenly two machine guns opened fire at a range of 25 yards killing one man and wounding another. The wounded soldier lay in a cleared area exposed to the Japanese machine guns 25 yards to the front. Learning of the wounded man lying in an exposed position Technician Fifth Grade Jenkins quickly volunteered to attempt a rescue. He crawled forward with two other soldiers to a position behind a large tree 15 yards from the wounded man. Upon a pre-arranged signal friendly machine gun fire was placed upon the Japanese position. Technician Fifth Grade Jenkins quickly left his covered position and ran across the clearing to within 25 yards of the Japanese machine guns. With the aid of two soldiers he picked up the wounded man and carried him back to safety. Technician Fifth Grade Jenkins administered first aid and remained with the wounded man until he was evacuated the next morning. The voluntary and courageous actions of Technician Fifth Grade Jenkins resulted in the prompt medical treatment of the wounded man which saved his life with a loss of one eye.