Dog Tag of WWII POW Bertram Jenkins found in Czech Republic
Patriot Connections Dog Tag Project, was contacted by Morris Frank seeking some help. A relative of Frank’s in the Czech Republic had a neighbor who had found a military dog tag and syringe in the forest in the northern part of Bohemia Czech Republic in the very small village of Tlucen and they were looking for some assistance in finding the veteran/family to get it returned. And they believed it belonged to a POW.
The dog tag does inscribed with Bertram F Jenkins, does in fact belong to WWII POW American Army veteran Bert F Jenkins.
Bertram Kenneth Jenkins was born on November 29, 1924, in Richton, Mississippi to Daniel and Netta Bertram. He graduated from the Starkville High School in 1942 and attended Mississippi State College until his induction in the Army in September 1943.
Pfc Jenkins was listed as Missing In Action while in the Strasbourg, France area in January 1945 - later to be determined to be prisoner of war. He had been shot - which ultimately led to the amputation of part of his leg while in German captivity. He was freed May 1945. (View interview with Bert Jenkins, and notations of military service below)
After returning to the US, he married Cordelia Georgia Jenkins on December 14, 1947. They had 2 children - Joseph and Ann Jenkins.
He went on to get an English Degree from The University of Southern Missississippi (1947) and Masters from The University of Alabama (1949).
Jenkins spent 11 years as a junior high coach before becoming the head basketball coaching at Gulfport High School. During the 28 years as coach at Gulfport, his teams won seven state championships, 13 Big Eight titles. He was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame in 1981.
Bertram Jenkins, a WWII hero, beloved coach and father, passed away September, 23, 2015. At the time of his death he was survived by his 2nd wife, Lillian, who he was married to for over 30 years and his daughter Ann Jenkins Campbell. He was predeceased by his son Joseph. Also survived by 2 stepsons, 2 stepdaughters and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Quinn-Morris was able to locate and speak with his daughter Ann Jenkins Campbell - and put her in contact with Frank’s relation - Katerin Loza.
A local journalist from the Czech Republic will be interviewing the gentleman who found the dog tag and visiting the forest where he found it. Jenkin's dog tag may be hand delivered to his family in the near future.
Thank you for your service Bertram Jenkins - you are not forgotten!
Bert Jenkins Video Interview
From his daughter Ann
From his daughter Ann
Clarion_Ledger_Thu__Apr_19__1945
The_Daily_Herald_Wed__Oct_19__1949
Sun_Herald_Fri__Sep_25__2015
Bert Jenkins - Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Gift by daughter establishes Bert Jenkins Scholarship at MSU
RIP Bertram and thank you for your service!
(79th Division history - https://issuu.com/79thdivision/docs/ww2-history_of_the_79th )