Mathew Jenkins

Mathew Jenkins’ Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Mathew Jenkins (ASN: 1402492), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Vauxaillon, France, 20 September 1918. Sergeant Jenkins was in command of a detachment and was ordered to attack the German line. After rescuing, under fire, a wounded comrade, he charged with his detachment, took a fortified tunnel, and, though far in advance of our lines and without rations and ammunition, held the position for more than 36 hours, until relieved, making use of captured guns and ammunition to repel the counterattacks made upon him.

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 21 October 1918

Citation: French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star awarded for same action, Order No. 58, dated October 21, 1918.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 23 December 1888, New Orleans, LA, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 2 February 1961 , United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Sergeant
  • Company: [F]
  • Infantry Regiment: 370th
  • Division: 93rd
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education) Toggle Accordion

Mathew Jenkins was born to Scott (1853-1926) and Ada (Galco) (1858-1949) on December 23, 1888 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second of 6 children; Albert (1885-?), Landie (1892-1966), Scott Jr. (1895-1967), Lafayetta (1898-1975), Grant (1900-1968) and Henry (?-?).

In his teens, Mathew worked as a log cutter for a logging company in Tangipahoa, Louisiana; on October 5, 1917, he married Lista Hatten (1898-?) in Chicago, Illinois.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Mathew enlisted in the United States Army on July 25, 1917 as a Corporal; he and his company left Newport News, Virginia on the U.S. Army Transport Ship President Grant on April 7, 1918, arriving in Brest, France on April 13, 1918. Then-Sergeant Jenkins received the Distinguished Service Cross and French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star for his actions on September 20, 1918 near Vauxaillon, France;

“The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mathew Jenkins, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Vauxaillon, France, September 20, 1918. Sergeant Jenkins was in command of a detachment and was ordered to attack the German line. After rescuing, under fire, a wounded comrade, he charged with his detachment, took a fortified tunnel, and, though far in advance of our lines and without rations and ammunition, held the position for more than 36 hours, until relieved, making use of captured guns and ammunition to repel the counterattacks made upon him.” Awarded DSC by CG, AEF, October 27, 1918. Published in G.O. No. 127, W.D. 1918. French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star awarded for same action, Order No. 58, dated October 21, 1918.

Sergeant Jenkins and his company left Brest, France on February 2, 1919, arriving at Camp Upton, New York, on February 9, 1919. Sergeant Jenkins was Honorably discharged on February 24, 1919 at Camp Upton, New York.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Sometime before 1940, Mathew married Georgia (?-?, maiden name unknown), they lived in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a porter for the Pullman Car Company out of Chicago Union Station. Mathew died on February 2, 1961, he had no children.