Robert H . Jenkins , Jr . Robert Henry Jenkins , Jr . ( 1 June 1948 – 5 March 1969 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in March 1969 . He attended Oak Grove Elementary School from 1955 until 1963 , and Central Academy High School from 1963 until 1967 in Palatka , Florida . Biography . He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Jacksonville , Florida on and received recruit training with the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion , Recruit Training Regiment , Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina . He was promoted to private first class on 1 April 1968 . He transferred to the Marine Corps Base , Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , where he underwent individual combat training with the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion , 1st Infantry Training Regiment , and infantry special training with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion , completing the latter in May 1968 . Private First Class Jenkins was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1968 , and assigned to Headquarters and Service Company , 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion , 3rd Marine Division . Later that month , he was reassigned as a scout and driver with Company C , 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion . While serving as a machine gun ner with Company C at Fire Support Base Argonne , south of the Demilitarized Zone on 5 March 1969 , he was killed in action . He was , along with his 12 - man recon team , attacked by enemy fire — mortars , machine guns , and grenades . Jenkins and fellow Marine , Fred Ostrom , took up position in a two - man fighting emplacement . When a hand grenade was thrown into the emplacement , Jenkins leaped on top of Ostrom , shielding him from the explosion and absorbing the full impact of the grenade . He was mortally wounded and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic act and sacrifice of life . The Medal of Honor was presented to his family at the White House by Vice President Spiro T . Agnew on 20 Apr 1970 Jenkins is buried at Sister Spring Baptist Cemetery in Interlachen , Florida . Awards . Private First Class Robert H . Jenkins , Jr . decorations include : Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of United States Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT H . JENKINS , JR . UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following " For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Marine Gunner with Company C , Third Reconnaissance Battalion , Third Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam . Early on the morning of 5 March 1969 , Private First Class Jenkins ' twelve - man reconnaissance team was occupying a defensive position at Fire Support Base Argonne south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone . Suddenly , the Marines were assaulted by a North Vietnamese Army platoon employing mortar , automatic weapons , and hand grenades . Reacting instantly , Private First Class Jenkins and another Marine quickly moved into a two - man fighting emplacement , and as they boldly delivered accurate machine gun fire against the enemy , a North Vietnamese soldier threw a hand grenade into the friendly emplacement . Fully realizing the inevitable results of his action , Private First Class Jenkins quickly seized his comrade , and pushing the man to the ground , he leaped on top of the Marine to shield him from the explosion . Absorbing the full impact of the detonation , Private First Class Jenkins was seriously injured and subsequently succumbed to his wounds . His courage , inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved a fellow Marine from serious injury or possible death and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Navy . He gallantly gave his life for his country . " RICHARD M . NIXON / s / Richard M . Nixon PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA