Robert Henry Jenkins Jr. (June 1, 1948 – March 5, 1969) was a United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty in March 1969 during the Vietnam War. Biography Robert Henry Jenkins Jr. was born on June 1, 1948, in Interlachen, Florida. He attended Oak Grove Elementary School from 1955 until 1963, and Central Academy High School from 1963 until 1967 in Palatka, Florida. Jenkins enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Jacksonville, Florida on February 2, 1968, and received recruit training with the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He was promoted to private first class on April 1, 1968. Jenkins transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he underwent individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, and infantry special training with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion, completing the latter in May 1968. PFC Jenkins was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1968, and assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Later that month, he was reassigned as a scout and driver with Company C, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. While serving as a machine gunner with Company C at Fire Support Base Argonne, south of the Demilitarized Zone on March 5, 1969, he was killed in action. He was, along with his 12-man recon team, attacked by enemy fire – mortars, machine guns, and grenades. Jenkins and fellow Marine, Fred Ostrom, took up position in a two-man fighting emplacement. When a hand grenade was thrown into the emplacement, Jenkins leaped on top of Ostrom, shielding him from the explosion and absorbing the full impact of the grenade. He was mortally wounded and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic act and sacrifice of life. The Medal of Honor was presented to his family at the White House by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on April 20, 1970. Jenkins is buried at Sister Spring Baptist Cemetery in Interlachen, Florida. Military awards Jenkins' military decorations and awards include: Medal of Honor citation The President of the United States in the name of United States Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity