Jack Simmons Jenkins

Military
Colonel Jack S. Jenkins of the 55th Fighter Group by the nose of his P-38 Lightning, named "Texas Ranger". Handwritten on slide:"K 1167" media-388164.jpg FRE 5506 Colonel Jack S. Jenkins of the 55th Fighter Group by the nose of his P-38 Lightning, named "Texas Ranger". Handwritten on slide:"K 1167" Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5506 - Colonel Jack S. Jenkins of the 55th Fighter Group by the nose of his P-38 Lightning, named "Texas Ranger". Handwritten on slide:"K 1167"

Assigned to HQ Sqn, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. Crashed near Coulommiers on 10-Apr-44 in P-38 42-67825 'Texas Ranger'. Prisoner of War (POW) MACR 3620.





Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, PH, POW, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).



20-Nov-43 - Air Medal; 6-Dec-43 - Oakleaf Cluster [to AM]; 20-Dec-43 - Oakleaf Cluster [to AM]; 27-Dec-43 - Oakleaf Cluster [to AM]; 20-Jan-44 - Distinguished Flying Cross.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Pilots and crew of the 55th Fighter Group, stand with J. Frank Dobie, a well-known Texan writer, in front of P-38J Lightning named "Texas Ranger" at Nuthampstead air base. Left to right they are: Captain Gerald F. Leinweber, J. Frank Dobie, Lieutenant-Colonel Jack S. Jenkins, Major Dallas W. Webb and Technical Sergeant Carl R. Causey.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6255403
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-753761
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

A P-38 Lightning (CG-J, serial number 42-67074) nicknamed "The Texas Ranger" of the 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '38th FS, 55th FG, 8th Air Force.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Texas Ranger
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Texas Ranger IV
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group Headquarters Squadron (55th Fighter Group)

Places

  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12
  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany
Lieutenant-Colonel Elwyn G. Righetti of the 338th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group stands beside his P-51 Mustang, "Katydid". Print signed 'Best of everything your big loud Elwyn', 1944-1945.
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Bures / RAF Wormingford / RFC Wormingford / USAAF Station 159 / Wormingford Landing Ground

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

De Leon, TX 76444, USA 17 November 1914 Son of Marion Travis and Dorothy S Jenkins.

Enlisted

15 January 1938

Other

E/A Destroyed

Spiekeroog, Germany 11 March 1943 Me109 Destroyed Isle Spiekeroog. 11-Mar-43.

Other

E/A Probable

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 11 March 1943 Fw190 Probable Wilhelmshaven. 11-Mar-43.

Other

E/A Destroyed

La Bassée, France 25 November 1943 Fw190 Destroyed La Bassee, France.

Other

E/A Damaged

Dümmer, Germany 11 January 1944 Me210 Damaged Dummer Lake, Germany. 11-Jan-44.

Other

Promoted

Wormingford, Colchester, Essex CO6, UK 28 March 1944 Promoted Colonel.

Other

Shot down Flak

Coulommiers, France 10 April 1944 Crashed near Coulommiers on 10-Apr-44 in P-38 'Texas Ranger' 42-67825 POW.

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Zagan, Poland 10 April 1944 Prisoner of War (POW). POW #101579.

Other

C/O 50th TFW

1 September 1959 - 15 July 1962 Commanded 50th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Other

Discharged USAF

31 August 1968 Honourable discharge.

Buried

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio Bexar County, TX 12 April 1988 Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio Bexar County, Texas, USA.

Died

San Antonio, TX 9 April 1998
Levelland, TX 79336, USA

Other

Promoted

Wormingford, Colchester, Essex CO6, UK Promoted Lt Colonel.

Other

Post WWII

Served in both Korean and Vietnam wars.

Based

Wormingford 10 April 1944 Assigned to HQ Sqn, 55FG, 8AF USAAF.

Jack Simmons Jenkins: Gallery (15 items)