HEADQUARTERS
Headquarters and Service Battalion (-), (Rein)
1st Force Service Regiment/Force Logistic Command
Fleet marine Force, Pacific
FPO San Francisco, California 96602
My Dear Mrs. Jenkins:
The untimely death of your son, Corporal Earl D. Jenkins, United States Marine Corps on 16 November 1967 at Khe Sanh, Republic of Viet Nam is a source of sorrow to me and to his friends in his battalion. Please accept our deepest sympathy in your bereavement.
Earl was a member of a four-man team assigned to parachute into the Khe Sanh area on November 16, 1967, with the mission of recovering essential equipment which had been air-dropped in support of infantry units in the area. At about 11:15 a.m. the men made their jump from the aircraft, and Dale was the second man of the team to do so. An investigation into the accident disclosed that the main parachutes of Dale and another Marine (from Champaign, Illinois) became entangled during their descent, as did their reserve chutes and they were unable to disentangle them.
Last rites for Earl were administered at the scene by Lieutenant Commander Walter Driscoll, U. S. Navy, who is a Catholic Chaplain with the 26th Marine Regiment. It may comfort you further to know that a mass was said for Earl at the Camp Books Chapel on 26 November and that his many friends attended.
Earl's cheerful disposition, uprightness, and devotion to duty won for him the respect of all who knew him. Although I realize that these humbly written words can do little to console you, I do hope the knowledge that your son is keenly missed and that we share your sorrow will in some measure alleviate the suffering caused you by your great loss.
Your son was a credit to his God, his parents, and his country.
If you feel that I can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to write me.
Sincerely yours,
//s//
W. F. KOEHEIN
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps
Commanding Officer
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