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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SFC Jerry Jensen U.S. Army (1955-1967)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY?
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| Military Police Career |
During high school I had a desire to become a Naval Officer. At that time, all physically fit males served in the military either as an enlistee or draftee. I won a competitive appointment to the US Naval Academy and an NROTC scholarship. I chose to attend the USNA. I was 17 when I arrived at Annapolis and probably too young and immature to fully appreciate the opportunity. I did well academically but couldn't handle the hazing. I voluntarily resigned after plebe summer and the first semester. I left the USNA in December 1955 just before Christmas. I enlisted in the US Army in January 1956 with the full intention of making a career out of it. I served 12 years on active duty and earned the rank of SFC, E-7.
I have often regretted not finishing my academy studies and not finishing my military career.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I wanted to be an MP from day one, but because of high test scores I was encouraged by my recruiter to enlist for MI. I did and was trained in 2 or 3 MI MOS's but never really liked the assignments and somehow made my way back to my
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| Parachuting is exhilirating but dangerous |
home in the Military Police Corps. Basic Training, Infantry AIT, Jump School, ALS, Fort Holabird Military Intelligence School, Fort Gordon MP School. MI and MP assignments during 5 years in Germany. Ending with a year in Vietnam. I had 12 years of active duty.
I had an enlistment commitment for the Army Security Agency and after basic training at Fort Chaffee, AR I went to Fort Devens for classification and testing. I was chosen to attend the US Army Language School at the Presidio of Monterrey, CA. After 8 months of Chinese Mandarin training I was transferred to the West Point Prep School at Newburg, NY.
I did not want to attend West Point and managed to transfer to the MP School at Fort Gorgon, GA. After MP School, I was assigned to the USAREUR Honor Guard, 529th MP Company, Heidelberg, Germany. I remained there until April 1958 when I was transferred to the 182nd USASA Co in Kassel, Germany.
My enlistment ended in January 1959 and I reenlisted for the MP's. I was assigned to Fort Bliss, TX from January 1959 to June 1962. Selected for CIC training at Fort Holabird and after training was transferred to the 66th INTC Group in Stuttgart. After about 6 or 7 months, I transferred to the 513th INTC Group in Oberursel, Germany. I volunteered for Vietnam in 1965 and went from Oberursel directly to Saigon where I was given an Infantry Platoon Sergeant's position in DaNang. I served 6 months there and then transferred to the 615th MP Co in Saigon and served out my enlistment.
I had a parachute accident in May 1966 and spent 8 months in William Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso. My last assignment was with the 12th MP Co at Fort Riley, KS as First Sergeant. I was discharged with an honorable discharge in June 1967.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I volunteered for Vietnam while serving in Germany in 1965. I had a friend in MP School who was seriously injured while serving as an adviser to RVN forces early in the war in 1964. I thought that was something I should do and volunteered. I was serving as an
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| Nung Fighters |
MP Staff Sergeant at the time and went to Vietnam on orders for the 716th MP Bn in Saigon. When I arrived at the replacement center I was called to a corner desk where a sergeant told me my orders were being changed. I asked why and he laughed and said "I have a levy for an airborne qualified, infantry NCO that speaks Chinese. I said "whoa, I haven't been in the infantry in 5-6 years, I am no longer on jump status and I certainly do not speak Chinese." He said, "sorry you are it, you have a secondary MOS of 11 bravo, you were jump qualified and went to Army Language School to study Chinese. Sorry, Sergeant to you are elected and you are it."
I was assigned to DaNang and a group of Nungs that provided security for isolated signal sites. We also cleared mountain tops to locate signal sites. It was really not a bad assignment. We were assigned to MACV and worked with the 95th ARVN Rangers, the 39th Signal Bn, and the MACV advisers in I Corps. At that time, MACV policy was to spend 6 months in the sticks and 6 months in headquarters. After 6 months in I Corps as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant, I was transferred to Saigon and the 615th MP Company. I spent the next 6 months as an MP Patrol Supervisor in Saigon. I also volunteered to fly door gunner and flew several missions on a slick hauling ash and trash all over I Corps.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
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| Patrolling and gathering intelligence |
My fondest memories were due to my assignments in Germany in the late 50's and early 60's. It was the heart of the Cold War and we were deadly serious about our training. We knew that the Red Army was posed on the other side of the Iron Curtain and if they chose to roll their armor, we could not have stopped them before France. Many of my assignments involved military intelligence and counter intelligence. There were lots of folks on both sides involved in gathering intelligence and trying to counter the other sides intelligence gathering efforts.
I also have fond memories of my duties at Fort Bliss, Texas for about 3 years beginning in 1958. I worked as an accident investigator and the Desk Sergeant on the City Desk. It was good duty.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
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| Now Enjoying Retirement |
Good friends, good training, important work ethics, and most of all discipline. Lately as I get older, I am beginning to feel some "survivor guilt." I find myself wondering why the good Lord allowed me to live and return home in relatively good condition, when so many others did not.
About 3 years ago, I was awarded 100% compensation from VA and this added to my guilt. Why do I deserve a nice government check each month when there are so many who are being denied? I am 77 with a bad heart and a bad back, so I am sure that I will be meeting my maker in the near future. I may ask Him, why He chose me to live and others to die?
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My Combat Infantryman's Badge. I am a true "Combat Veteran", not just a pair of boots on the ground. Anyone that has earned one knows what this entails. Life changing in seconds. You never know what day your life will end or the fact that you might end someone else's.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There were so many and I can't remember all the names. I do remember Captain Paul Timmerberg, who was my CO when I served with the USAREUR Honor Guard, the 529th MP Co. We called him "Tall Paul". He was one of the best CO's I had the pleasure to
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| 529th Honor Guard |
serve.
Another was my CO with the 615th MP Co in Saigon, Captain (Later LTC) Kochenour. He made the trip to William Beaumont Hospital in El Paso to visit on his way home from Vietnam. I have stayed in touch since, thanks to Facebook and e-mail.
In addition to the above, I have 3 uncles and a cousin who served in WWII. I was always impressed when we talked about their experiences in the military. One uncle was a Combat Medic in the Pacific campaign and served on Guam and other islands. A second was a Gunnery Instructor on B-17's training flight crews for deployment to the European theater. The third uncle was a Tech Sgt in charge of repairing and making sure that fighter planes were able to fly in the Pacific theater. My cousin flew Black Widow night fighters out of England in raids over France and Germany. They had a great impact on my desire to do well in the military.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
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| The Ham/Soap Caper |
I recall winter field maneuvers in Germany during the winter of 1958. We were acting as part of an aggressor force harassing USAREUR Hqs personnel. On a cold, snowy night we snuck into their mess tent and stole what we thought were canned hams. We lugged our heavy boxes for several km back to our area and opened them in preparation for a feast, only to find that we had stolen a case of 1 pound bars of GI soap. No ham for us.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Currently retired. Worked as a Deputy Sheriff, City Police Officer, Federal Investigator, Supervisory Investigator, Area Director and EO Officer for a major university. My career including military duty lasted more than 55 years. I retired at age 75. If I were able, I would go back to work in a heartbeat. I find retirement rather boring but am glad that I worked in occupations that provided a decent retirement income.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I currently have Life memberships in the DAV; Counterparts; Combat Infantryman's Association; VFW; Member of American Legion; 101st Airborne Association; NCO Association; USNA Alumni Association; OU Alumni Association.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
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| Military gives you a sense purpose |
It taught me work ethics and the advantages of team efforts. Nothing instills discipline, honor and work ethics like a tour of active duty in the military. Young men and women at this age usually have no idea of what they want to do with their lives. The military teaches everyone a trade, it may not be what you want but you will be qualified to perform when you are through training whether it be for a cook, a mechanic, an infantry soldier, military police or whatever. Obedience to orders, good order and hard work are things that will you serve you well during your entire life. The Army offers over 200 occupations, something for everyone.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Pay attention to your NCO's and Officers. There is a good reason for most of the stuff they have you doing. Who knows it just may save your life one day?
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
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| Take assorted training when you can get it. |
It provides a place for these reflections. It also gives me a method of searching for lost comrades and keeping up with old friends. I highly recommend membership for all veterans. Everyone says they are going to stay in touch for ever when they leave service but few of us maintain those contacts. It is amazing that someone can be closer than a brother in service and yet go their separate ways upon leaving the military. Service organizations and groups like this keep those memories alive.
Note from Admin: Jerry completed this Reflections on Jul 10, 2015, he passed away 10 days later at the age of 77.
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TWS VOICES
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