Johnnie Jenkins Sr. was born in the rural American South (Sparta, Georgia) in 1916. He escaped his abusive upbringing, eventually joining the United States Navy shortly after rules were changed allowing negros to enlist.
SIGNIFICANT DUTY STATIONS
USS ORISKANY CV-34 * NAS BARBERS POINT, HI - VP-22
USS CUMBERLAND IX-8
SAND POINT, WA - VP-16/17/42
AIR GROUPS 15 & 19 * NAS MOFFETT FIELD, CA - VC-3
USS BOXER CV-21 * USS PRINCETON CV-37 * USS YORKTOWN CV-10
SIGNIFICANT AWARDS
NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL