It’s been almost a decade since the hero, Gerald R Jenkins paid the ultimate sacrifice for those of us in Circleville and for his country, so on this memorial day of 2020, let us remember and honor him.
The Associated Press- FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — The Defense Department says a Fort Campbell soldier from Ohio has been killed in Afghanistan.
A statement Friday from the military says 19-year-old Spc. Gerald R. Jenkins of Circleville, Ohio, died Oct. 20 when he was struck by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol.
Jenkins was a combat engineer assigned to the 1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.
He joined the Army in 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March 2009. The Army says he is survived by his father, Roger D. Jenkins, and mother, Carla K. McNamara, both of Circleville.
“This young man understood the meaning of service and sacrifice for one’s country,” said Peterson. “Army Specialist Jenkins paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our freedom and for this we owe he and his family a debt of gratitude.”
Army Specialist Gerald R. Jenkins died in combat on October 20, 2010 while serving in Afghanistan. A graduate of Circleville High School, Jenkins was a combat engineer who grew up in Circleville, Ohio.
Senate Bill 182, sponsored by Senators Peterson and Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville), designates a portion of U.S. Route 23 in Pickaway County beginning at the Island Road intersection and extending to the Little Walnut Road intersection as the “Army Specialist Gerald R. Jenkins Memorial Highway.”
The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan and unanimous support and now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
