Army Sgt. Philip C. Jenkins

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Philip C. Jenkins, 26, of Decatur, Ind.

Sgt. Jenkins was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died Sept. 7, 2010 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds sustained in a shooting incident in Salah ad-Din province, Iraq. Also killed was Pvt. James F. McClamrock.

Family friends say Jenkins was a part of a security operation at an Iraqi army base, when an Iraqi soldier opened fire on the group, killing two American soldiers and wounding several others. The U.S. military has launched an investigation. Its calling the attack a "deliberate act."

"I don't think anybody really expected anything like this would happen to him. It was a pretty good shock... He would not have it any other way. That's what he wanted to do and that's what he done," said Phillip's Uncle Gary Hauter in an exclusive interview with Indiana's NewsCenter.

Jenkins was a 2002 Bellmont High School grad, where he played the saxophone for the school band. He joined the army after graduation.

"Phillip was a very dedicated and motivated young man. Always had a smile for you. I think that's what I'll always remember," said his band director Janice Reynolds. She says Jenkins always went "above and beyond" in class and that he always knew he wanted to join the Army. "He was very excited he was there and ready to do his job."

Fritz Bultemeyer served with Jenkins in Afghanistan. He says he'll always remember Jenkins' passion for the service. "He was dedicated," said Bultemeyer. "He loved what he was doing in the Army."

And although it's painful to see a life cut so short, both Reynolds and Bultemeyer want to remember him for his sacrifice.

"He's a great American fallen hero," said Bultemeyer. "He has died for his country, died for his principles to keep this country free. And that's what we always need to remember him for."

"I'm very proud of Phillip and I thank him very much," added Reynolds.

Jenkins leaves behind his mother Rose, sister, wife Cassandra and two young girls. I do not have names for his girls or his sister.

Bultemeyer says “I want him to be remembered as the dedicated soldier and American patriot that he is and was.”

Both Jenkins' wife and mother flew to Delaware Thursday to identify the body.

Army Sgt. Philip C. Jenkins was killed in action on 9/7/10.