351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division
Robert Jenkins was initially buried at Mirandola Cemetery at Mirandola, Italy and reburied at Florence American Cemetery in Via Cassia, Italy, Plot H, Row 7, Grave 7
The Knoxville Journal, May 20, 1945
Pfc. Robert M. Jenkins, husband of Mrs. Bertha Jenkins of 2815 Parkview Avenue, was killed in action on April 29 in Italy when he mistook a Group of German soldiers for prisoners of war, the War Department recently notified his wife. Having been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on Oct. 12, 1944 in Italy, Private Jenkins had recovered and returned to duty.
After taking a Group of German prisoners to the rear on April 29, Jenkins was returned to his frontline company when he met a group of American and German soldiers. Assuming that the American were marching the Germans to the rear of United States Lines as prisoners of war, Jenkins halted them and discovered that the Americans were prisoners of the Germans. While trying to escape, Jenkins was shot and killed.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Jenkins of 1900 Fairmont Boulevard, he entered service on Oct. 13, 1943, and had been overseas for 15 months when killed with the Fifth Army. In addition to his widow and parents, Private Jenkins is survived by a sister, Mrs. Walter Best Jr., of 1727 Avondale Road. He was a member of Whittle Springs Methodist Church.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of death: 29 April 1945
- County: Knox
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Burial/Memorial Location: Florence American Cemetery, Via Cassia, Italy
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Robert M. Jenkins
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