| VFW Connections |
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John joined the VFW in 1981. He started as a bingo volunteer and supported the Christmas tree sales. During that time, the group met next to Padrinos. They later relocated to a location they called the "Hole in the Wall.” It was a small group of members with big dreams for the post.
John participated in several formal meetings to purchase the land where our building sits today. Many questioned the proposed location for the post, feeling members wouldn’t travel there for VFW events. Although it wasn’t an easy deal, they eventually purchased the land from Mr. Staples, a local non-combat veteran. John Jenkins, a member of the post and Prince William County’s longest-serving supervisor, helped to rezone the land for the building. They also had to work out issues with the local utilities, including the water line, to ensure the post was protected for future construction in the area. On 15 April 1989, the members took occupancy of the current Post 1503 building. For years, they worked hard to ensure they could make the mortgage payments through bingo earnings and other post fundraisers. The group celebrated when the final mortgage payment was submitted, and the building was finally ours for future generations of VFW members.
John has been the Commander of Post 1503 eight times. He was the first All American Post Commander for the post from 1985-1986. He is also a member of the Military Order of the Cootie and has served as past Commander of the MOC for the state of Virginia.
John has always believed the VFW should be a place that is open and welcoming to all veterans. Although many claimed VFW Post 1503 wouldn’t succeed, John didn’t let their negativity get him down. As we know today, the naysayers certainly weren’t right. For over 43 years, Post 1503 has reached over 100% membership levels and has grown to be the largest post in the world by membership.
You can still see John at the VFW regularly, especially selling pull-tabs at bingo nights. He wants to encourage the next generation of VFW members to continue the mission the "Hole in the Wall” members started decades ago.
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John was born in Murray, Utah. He was the second of five siblings, although he was only 14 months behind his older brother. At the age of five, John and his family moved to Compton and eventually settled in La Habra, a town in Southern California. His mother worked at a grocery chain and was well-respected for her meticulous work. His stepfather was a general contractor.
At the age of 11, John received a work permit and started his first job at Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach at Ann’s Snack Bar. He also sold newspapers and cut grass to earn extra money. He continued to work all through middle school and high school. By the time he was in his senior year, John was working two jobs, as he had earned enough high school credits to attend half days of instruction. After finishing his morning classes, John melted lead for the local newspaper and worked in an administrative department for a bank. John graduated from La Habra High School in 1962.
John signed up to join the Army in 1963 when he was 18 years old. His initial decision to sign up happened as a bit of a joke. He went to a recruiter in Whittier, California. However, the recruiter told John that he wasn’t sure if he would be able to join due to a minor congenital issue. As John puts it, "I’m one of these guys that… don’t tell me that I can’t do something!” Of course, John did everything to ensure he could enlist to prove the recruiter wrong.
His mother was very proud of him after he graduated from basic training and AIT in Fort Ord, California. He bid farewell to his family, as he had been told he would be traveling to "Indochina” for a deployment. John arrived in Vietnam in mid-June of 1963. He was part of the 121st Aviation Company, Air Mobile Light. (In December of 1961—prior to John’s arrival—this 93rd Transportation Company was created as an aviation unit to provide support in Vietnam.) The unit had over 1000 flying hours for many consecutive months in Vietnam.
On September 3, 1963, John was in Soc Trang, in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. His trip started as part of a non-crewmember flight. The troops found themselves under fire and suddenly his Platoon Sergeant threw him in a hole. While John was momentarily confused by this action, when he heard the blast, he realized that his leader had sacrificed himself for John’s safety. The unit suffered many losses during the war and was the most-decorated company in Vietnam for their valorous acts in combat. John also sustained an injury to his eardrum in February of 1964. Eventually 44 individuals received decorations and awards—almost a quarter of the company. John remained in Soc Trang until March of 1964, staying in Can Tho until December of 1964.
On April 15, 1964, John’s mother unexpectedly passed away at the age of 39, just seven days before his 20th birthday. John travelled home to be with his family for her funeral. However, he had purposely extended his original deployment for six months to be home for Christmas, so he returned to Can Tho and completed his tour of duty in December of 1964.
Upon his return from Vietnam, he was assigned to Presidio of San Francisco. However, he was only there for 30 days, as he agreed to reenlist for the duty station of his choice. He asked to go to Fort Douglas, set on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. One year later, he was sent to Munich, Germany.
In 1968, John returned to Vietnam, remaining at the Long Binh administration center for the year. In total, he spent two and a half years in Vietnam during his military career. After returning stateside, John went to Fitzsimmons General Hospital for a year before traveling to Okinawa.
He finally arrived in Washington DC in June of 1973. He remained for five years, went to Korea for a year, and then returned to DC. During this time, he was selected for the Sergeant Major Academy. Although he declined, he was the only person in his specialty to be selected in 1982. After twenty years of military service, John retired on 1 February 1983.
After his retirement, John worked as a federal contractor until May of 1983. Then he worked for the Department of Defense until the summer of 2005, eventually becoming a supervisor. He is thankful for "great mentors and good bosses” in his life.
Today, he enjoys life with his lovely wife and his beloved granddaughters. He is an active part of Move Church. John continues to serve the VFW and its members.
- When he was 16, John decided he wanted to leave his job at a gas station. However, his mother gave him some advice which stuck with him for the rest of his life: "Never quit a job until you have another job to go to.” He credits this mantra for his strong work ethic for the rest of his life.
- The 121st Aviation Company was known as the "Soc Trang Flying Tigers.” While many companies take on the names of animals, his company was given this mascot because they temporarily cared for a literal tiger. They temporarily adopted Tuffy, a nine-month-old Bengal tiger, in January of 1963. John’s company history reads, "After his arrival, Tuffy was showered with attention and affection from Privates to Generals. Tuffy was good natured, playful, and usually harmless. For many in the company, a scratch or scar from Tuffy was a treasured memory, never to be forgotten.” However, by the time he was 15 months old, he already weighed over 250 pounds. Eventually, Tuffy was flown to the Toledo Zoo where he could be better cared for than amongst the troops in Vietnam.
- When John arrived in Utah for his new duty station at Fort Douglas, his Uncle Mel came to pick him up from the airport. On the way home, they passed a Ford dealership and John spotted a red ’65 Mustang on a showroom floor. During his deployment in Vietnam, John had saved up some money, so he decided to talk to the salesman. Although his uncle tried to talk him out of it, John purchased the stick shift vehicle for $2500.
- Upon arriving in Washington DC in June of 1973, it was John’s first time being east of the Mississippi.
- If you are ever grocery shopping with John, you’ll find that 96% lean ground beef is his favorite item.
