Lt John G. Jenest
Born: 2 June 1921 in Franklin, Massachusetts
Death: 24 November 1987 in Springfield, Massachusetts at age 66
Burial: U.S. Veterans Cemetery, Bourne, Massachusetts
Military Service:
18 Aug 42 – 9 Mar 43 Enlisted Reserve Corps (Inactive)
15 Sep 42 Received “Order to Report for Induction” on 26 Sep 42
9 Mar 43 – 5 Dec 43 Aviation Cadet Training (PT-17, BT-13, AT-6, P-40), Pre-flight at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, Primary at Douglas, Georgia, Basic at Cockran Field, Macon, Georgia, Advanced at Spencer Field, Moultrie, Georgia
5 Dec 43 Promoted to Flight Officer (T-61698)
20 Dec 43 – 1 Feb 44 Pilot Trainee at Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee, Florida
1 Feb 44 – 7 Apr 44 Fighter Pilot Trainee (56th FS, 54th FG) at Bartow AAF, Florida
8 Apr – 13 Apr 44 In transition to E.T.O.
1 May 44 – 24 May 44 Replacement Pilot (469th Fighter Training Group) at Station F-345
26 May 44 – 17 Aug 44 P-51 Pilot (362nd FS, 357th FG) at Leiston (Station F-373) Flew 28 combat missions in 105 hours.
4 Jul 44 Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (O-886984)
7 Aug 44 Promoted to 1st Lieutenant
14 Aug 44 – 22 Sep 44 Patient (4209 USAHP, Rhematoid arthritis of right knee and 10 degree limitation of flexion of right knee )
22 Sep 44 – 3 Oct 44 Rotation to U.S.
9 Oct 44 – 6 Feb 45 Patient (Army & Navy Gen Hospital, Hot Springs, Arkansas)
9 Feb 45 – 5 Apr 45 Patient (AAFRCH, Miami Beach, Florida)
30 Sep 45 Separated from Service at Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts
Medals Awarded: EAME Theatre Ribbon with 2 Battle Stars, Air Medal with 1 Cluster
Other: John had three brothers who also served their country with pride. 1st Lt. Albert E. Jenest, Tank Unit Commander, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, in Normandy from 14 Jul 44 – 29 Jul 44. Wounded, awarded Purple Heart. Corporal Homer C. Jenest, 112th Cavalry Regiment, 6th Army, First American soldier to land at Arawe, New Britian, near Papua New Guinea on 15 Dec 43. Seriously wounded during first hours and returned to the US to recover. Private Charles H. Jenest
Information and Photos provided by Ed Jenest
Lt John Jenest (center)
