19APR2003: About a month after crossing the berm into Iraq, SGT Troy Jenkins and his fellow Soldiers in B/3-187 IN were on a dismounted patrol working to provide security in the gap created after the fall of Saddam's regime. SGT Jenkins had the difficult task of keeping his men focused and alert while presenting a welcoming face to the local Iraqis. On his second deployment after serving in Afghanistan, Jenkins was a seasoned combat veteran and knew well the dangers the lurked nearby. Not much earlier, Jenkins had told his father he planned to exit the military because he felt his luck was running out. With that in mind, one could expect Jenkins to hold back and play it safe, but that wasn't how he operated. As his unit moved through the Iraqi streets, a young girl approached them and began to turn something over. SGT Jenkins noticed immediately that it was a unexploded cluster bomb. These munitions are extremely volatile and the girl was on the verge of accidently detonating the device. Without hesitation, Jenkins yelled a warning to his men and ran to push the girl away from the bomb. Just as he did so, it detonated. Miraculously, Jenkins was alive. The blast had severed one of his legs and several fingers, but his men, alive because he shielded them from the blast, were able to treat him and get him out on a MEDEVAC. As he was being loaded, some of his last words were to ask if any of his guys were wounded. SGT Troy Jenkins would pass away five days later, a result of the wound suffered in the explosion. His valiant act saved the life of the Iraqi girl as well as some of his fellow Soldiers.

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