Delbert Owen Jennings - Arlington, VA - Medal Of Honor Resting Places on Waymarking.com

Delbert O. Jennings was born on July 23, 1936 in Silver City, New Mexico. He joined the United States Army and served with Company C, 1st Airborne Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment during the Vietnam War. On December 27, 1966 in the Kim Song Valley of Vietnam, Sergeant Jenning’s unit came under heavy enemy attack. During the ensuing battle Sergeant Jennings distinguished himself by braving enemy sniper fire and booby traps to recover 8 of his men who would have probably perished with medical treatment. For his actions Sergeant Jennings was awarded the Medal of Honor. Following the end of the Vietnam War, Sergeant Jennings continued to serve his country and eventually reaching the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Sergeant Jennings died on March 16, 2003 and is resting in Section 7 at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Sergeant Jenning's Medal of Honor Citation reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Part of Company C was defending an artillery position when attacked by a North Vietnamese Army regiment supported by mortar, recoilless-rifle, and machine gun fire. At the outset, S/Sgt. Jennings sprang to his bunker, astride the main attack route, and slowed the on-coming enemy wave with highly effective machine gun fire. Despite a tenacious defense in which he killed at least 12 of the enemy, his squad was forced to the rear. After covering the withdrawal of the squad, he rejoined his men, destroyed an enemy demolition crew about to blow up a nearby howitzer, and killed 3 enemy soldiers at his initial bunker position. Ordering his men back into a secondary position, he again covered their withdrawal, killing 1 enemy with the butt of his weapon. Observing that some of the defenders were unaware of an enemy force in their rear, he raced through a fire-swept area to warn the men, turn their fire on the enemy, and lead them into the secondary perimeter. Assisting in the defense of the new position, he aided the air-landing of reinforcements by throwing white phosphorous grenades on the landing zone despite dangerously silhouetting himself with the light. After helping to repulse the final enemy assaults, he led a group of volunteers well beyond friendly lines to an area where 8 seriously wounded men lay. Braving enemy sniper fire and ignoring the presence of booby traps in the area, they recovered the 8 men who would have probably perished without early medical treatment. S/Sgt. Jenning's extraordinary heroism and inspirational leadership saved the lives of many of his comrades and contributed greatly to the defeat of a superior enemy force. His actions stand with the highest traditions of the military profession and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."

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Armed Service: Army

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Date Logged Log User Rating   03/27/2022 Don.Morfe visited it