John D. Jenkins, Motor Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy. 03426118,United States Navy. Entered the Service from Kansas. Declared dead: January 4, 1946. Missing in Action or Buried at Sea. Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. Awards: Purple Heart.     (ABMC, CCVM, DJHSP)

John Jenkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Jenkins of this city, became 17 years old only four days before the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7. He enlisted in the Navy the day after, December 8. He is now on a submarine with the Pacific Fleet. His parents received a letter from him April 18, written at Pearl harbor, saying they might not hear again, for about three months. John's address is: U. S. Pompano, Fleet P. O. San Francisco.

John D. Jenkins, Motor Mechanics Mate second class in the U. S. Navy, was on October 29 reported by the Navy Department as being missing, following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country, according to a telegram sent to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Jenkins, formerly of Coldwater but now of Pratt. The telegram was signed by Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of Naval Personnel.

It is presumed that his submarine was one of three announced recently by the U. S. Government as being overdue in the South Pacific area. John was working in the Coldwater bakery when the Japs attacked Pearl harbor. The next day he started for Kansas City and was accepted in the navy, returning home to await his call to active service. He began his training on January 6, 1942. After completing his training he was assigned to a submarine in the Pacific ocean and saw a great deal of service. He advanced to the rank of second class petty officer and had an excellent record as a sailor.

John was home on furlough about a year ago and at that time was united in marriage with Miss Noveta Snyder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Snyder of Pratt. The bride's father is wire chief foreman of the Southwest Telephone Co. Since their marriage, Mrs. Jenkins has worked as a telephone operator on the Pratt exchange.

John David Jenkins was born December 5, 1925 in Houston, Tex., and when he was three years of age he moved with his parents to Groton, South Dakota. After a few years there the family moved to Rogers, Ark. In 1936 the family moved to Coldwater to be near Mr. Jenkins' sister, Mrs. E. F. Harper, and family. About two years ago the Jenkins family moved to Pratt where Mr. Jenkins is employed at the Pratt air base.

John attended the Coldwater schools and worked on farms in this county and in the bakery here before enlisting in the navy as a 17 year old. His brothers and sisters are: Pfc. Ervin Jenkins of Fort Leavenworth, Kans., Cpl. Melvele Jenkins, stationed at Dyersburg, Tenn., Mrs. Gladys Prater of Pratt and Doris and Marion of the home in Pratt.

The Comanche county friends of missing sailors join the anxious relatives in hoping that word of his safe landing at some port is announced soon.

Also see:

Mary Sophia (Jenkins) Harper, sister of John D. Jenkins.

Shipmates on Eternal Patrol in USS POMPANO (SS-181)

History of the submarine USS POMPANO (SS-181)

USS POMPANO (SS 181), August 29, 1943 - 76 Men Lost

Sailors Lost On USS POMPANO SS 181

Service Record: USS Pompano

Pompano (SS-181): Submarine of the Perch class

Two photos of USS Pompano

Selected images: USS Pompano (SS-181), 1937-1943

Special Postal Covers: Launching & Commissioning

More Special Postal Covers: Launching & Commissioning

Lost Boats: 1941 - 1945

American Submarine Standard Operating Procedures

Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing and contributing the above news article!

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This page was last updated 04 April 2004.