My name is Alfred R. Jenkins, and I was born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Dad was a farmer and Mom a homemaker. I have an older sister and two brothers. I have uncles and cousins who all served in the military. Prior to becoming drafted, I was a truck mechanic. Basic training in Fort Polk, LA was rough. I hated it. They jammed people through the training with limited contact with family except for a phone call here and there. They treated criminals better than the soldiers. I did not like the commanding officer.

I did not adapt well to military life. I didn’t want to be there. I made some friends, but the physical training was difficult with old barracks and terrible food… I later received training in advanced infantry in Fort Sam Houston, TX. The treatment there was better in all aspects. My best friend, James Mccleary went at the same time. Just as he finished his last test, he went to sick call and three days later died of blood poisoning and pneumonia.

My service ran from December 21, 1965 to October 28, 1967. I organized convoys and radio contact. The men in convoys were attacked by sniper fire and were helpless. It was difficult talking to them on the radio and hearing the attacks unable to do anything as they got shot at. The worst part was having no choice to go to Vietnam and leaving my family. My greatest fear was getting killed or caught as a prisoner of war. But I am proud that I served and have more respect for the American flag after having done so.

I get emotional when people thank me for my service. I’m proud that I served, but got prostate cancer and cancer spot on my bladder from radioactive seeds from the war. For those two years served, I had the chance to look at how other people lived but also feel that I lost two years of my life. The good memories were of my looking forward to getting out and excited about counting down the days. I remember that it was a sunny day with the beautiful blue China Sea when my airplane departed taking me out of Vietnam.

I mentioned earlier that my best friend, James Nolan Mc Cleary died before at the end of his training and before being sent to Vietnam. He was born in Carrollton, Missouri and married Nancy Jo Esgar in 1962. He loved cars, hot rods and drag racing. He was honest, kind and a comical guy – a good man. James left behind his wife and mother and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Morris, Illinois. The reason I am telling you this, is that I married his widow, Nancy in recent years.
I have maintained memberships with the VFW and American Legion.

Alfred R. Jenkins, Vietnam Veteran

We wish to thank Alfred for sharing his story with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper, where we are all connected.

Military/History Books: jennylasala.com/