U. S. Congressional Bill H.R. 3893 dedicated the Interlachen Post Office in honor of Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Jenkins was born in Interlachen on June 1, 1948. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1968 and was a Medal of Honor recipient. The dedication event was attended by Jenkins’ family members, friends, neighbors and military comrades and veterans (above).
Lieutenant General William Beydler (above)
spoke to the crowd on the merits of being a Marine and what it
takes to earn the Medal of Honor.
Suncoast District Manager Eric Chavez (left of sign) and President, 3rd Recon Association Robert H. Hoover, Jr. (right of sign) unveiled an enlarged replica of the Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. dedication plaque that will be placed in the Post Office.
Jenkins’ sisters,
brothers and other family members (above) shared a quiet moment at the closing prayer of the
ceremony.
The dedication plaque and a bust of Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. (above) were displayed for attendees. Jenkins was serving as a machine gunner with Company Cat Fire Support Base Argonne in Vietnam on March 5, 1969, when a hand grenade was thrown into the emplacement, Jenkins leaped on top of his fellow Marine, shielding him from the explosion and was killed in action. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic act and sacrifice of life.
