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David B. Jennings Letters

 Collection
Identifier: mss-392

Scope and Contents

The David B. Jennings Letters collection consists of letters written by Jennings to his mother and father during his deployment. The letters recount David's daily life during his time at Fort Dix, New Jersey; Camp Drake in Japan; Kumwha Valley, South Korea; Kapyong, South Korea; and the Punchbowl, South Korea. The collection also includes condolence letters written to Jennings' parents after his death, as well as photographs of Jennings from his deployment and as an undergraduate at the University of Vermont.

Dates

  • 1951-1953

Creator

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Manuscripts.

Biographical / Historical

David B. Jennings (1929-1952) was born on December 9, 1929 in New Rochelle, New York. He was raised in Connecticut and attended Fairfield College Preparatory School, graduating in 1947. He attended the University of Vermont where he was an officer in the Sigma Nu fraternity. He was also a director of Kake Walk in 1951 and student officer in ROTC.

After graduating in 1951, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Jennings underwent officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and infantry training at Fort Dix, New Jersey before going overseas. He was sent first to Japan in March of 1952 and to Korea that May where he was assigned to Company G, 223rd Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. He served as platoon leader on the front lines. He received the combat Infantry badge and was promoted to first lieutenant. He was killed in action in the "Punch Bowl" area of Korea on December 8, 1952, one day before his 22nd birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for "gallantry in action" on the first anniversary of his death. He also received a Purple Heart. A trophy for the best snow sculpture during Kake Walk was named in honor of Jennings.

Jennings was the son of James Robert Jennings (1898-1969, UVM class of 1921) and Madine Julia Boardman (1898-1993, UVM class of 1921). He had three brothers: James Robert Jennings Jr. (about 1926-1971, UVM Class of 1950), John Philip Jennings (1928-1983, UVM Class of 1952), and Patrick Callan Jennings (b. about 1933). James Jr. served in the U.S. Army as an Engineer in Japan, rising to the rank of Colonel in the reserves. John served as a Lieutenant during the Korean War. Philip was a member of ROTC and served in the Air Force.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists of photographs and letters from Lieutenant David B. Jennings to his parents in Burlington, Vermont from Korea. Jennings, a 1951 graduate of UVM, was killed in action in 1952.

Location

Library Research Annex; contact uvmsc@uvm.edu for access.

Title
Guide to the David B. Jennings Letters
Status
Completed
Date
2018 September
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University of Vermont Libraries, Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Silver Special Collections Library
48 University Place, Room B201
Burlington Vermont 05405 U.S.A. US
(802) 656-2138
(802) 656-4038 (Fax)