Interview with Wilbur Jenkins, August 24, 2017

Interview Summary

Wilbur Jenkins of Georgetown, Kentucky is a WWII veteran who enlisted in the Marines at the age of 15 and saw combat on Okinawa in 1945. In this interview, he talks about his childhood in Scott County, Kentucky, his decision to enlist in the military during World War II, and how he circumvented the age minimum to enlist at only fifteen years old. He talks about his basic training in San Diego, advanced training at Camp Pendleton, and shipping out to New Caledonia. He talks about his combat experiences on Okinawa, being stationed in Guadalcanal, and being sent to China for occupation duty after the war ended in Japan. He discusses his transition back to civilian life and the lifelong effect the military has had upon his life.

Interview Keyword

Families. Great Depression WWII 6th Marine Division Pacific Theater Guadalcanal Okinawa-shi (Japan) Naha (Okinawa) China Shanghai Childhood Education--Kentucky Scott County (Ky.) Camp Pendleton (Calif.) New Caledonia.

Interview LC Subject

United States. Marine Corps United States--Armed Forces--Recruiting, enlistment, etc World War, 1939-1945 Basic training (Military education) World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Okinawa Island Combat

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.