JENKS

Bio Image

Personal Details

  • Last Name: JENKS
  • First Name Middle Initial: LEE T
  • Nick Name:
  • Street:  1120 DALESIDE LN
  • Country &State:
  • City: NEW PORT RICHEY, FL
  • State: 
  • Postal Code: 34655
  • Phone: (727) 372-7238
  • E-Mail:  DORISJENKS@JUNO.COM
  • Spouse: DORIS
  • Age when entered service:
  • Age first entered:
  • War or Conflict: WW II
  • Theater of operations:
  • Year:
  • Branch of Service/s: Army Air Corp
  • Years Served:
  • Date of Discharge / Retirement (circle):
  • Highest Rank: new_value
  • Military MOS (Job Descriptions): ENGINEER, TOP TURRENT GUNNER
  • What military medals received: PURPLE HEART MEDAL, AIR MEDAL W/3 CLUSTERS, POW MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ETO & ASIA MEDAL W/1 STAR, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION W/3 STARS
Military Bio:

Lee T. Jenks, born in Agawam, MA, November 16, 1920. Enlisted in the reserve corps. On September 19, 1942 with the U.S.A.A.F. and went to basic training in Atlantic City, NJ, on September 23, 1942. He later went to Airplane Mechanics School in Lincoln, NE, and specialized in B-17's in Longbeach, CA., he also went to Gunnery School at Wendover Field, UT, Crew Formation in Moses Lake, WA, and the Crew Training for B-17's in Geiger Field, Spokane, WA. After his training he was sent on the troop ship Queen Elizabeth from New York City to Glasglow, Scotland to the home base of the 8th Air Force, 306th Bomb Group (H), 423rd Bomb Squad in Bedford/Thurleigh, England. Their B-17, The Wampus Cat was hit over Brunswick, Germany on March 29, 1944 during Lee's 23rd mission. He bailed out southwest of Amsterdam, Holland but his leg was shattered by a 20-MM shell on the way down. Upon landing Lee was met by young German teenager of the Peoples Army or Hitler Youth. The teenage put a pistol to Lee's head and pulled the trigger. There was only a click, luckily enough the gun had jammed, but while the teenage tried to fix the gun, he proceeded to kick Lee hard in the back and the injured leg until a group of Dutch women between Lee and the teenager. The Dutch woman stayed with Lee until more Germans had arrived with the rest of Lee's crewmembers. Lee was taken to a German hospital were a German doctor repaired his injured leg, without any anesthesia. He spent six months in Stalag Luft III hospital (Wilhelmina Hospital) and then to three other hospitals until he was exchanged for German POW's at Lake Constance in Switzerland. Lee finally returned home on the hospital ship The Gripsholm on January 17, 1945 and was discharged on December 7, 1945 as a T/Sergeant. Lee retired after 40 years as a Photographer and Studio Manager for Popular Club. He is a member of the Florida State Chapter #1 and is currently a State Jr. Vice Commander in Florida. He lives New Port Richey, Florida with his wife Doris, a National Service Officer for the American Ex-Prisoners of War.

My Message to Future Generations:

Post Military Occupation

  • Age when captured: 24
  • Date of Captured: 03/29/44
  • Place captured: HOLLAND
  • Camp/s held: LUFT III AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND, FRANKFORT, MEININGEN, OBERMANSFELD 9C HOSPITALS
  • Date Released: 01/17/45
  • Prisoner-of-war status: Repatriated
  • Date of DEATH if deceased: 
  • AGE at death:
  • Died In Combat:
  • Died from complications of combat wounds:
  • Describe below Survivors Include: