Norwood Thomas Jenkins

Captain Norwood Thomas Jenkins died of typhus fever February 17, 1944 in Papua, New Guinea after being wounded in action during World War II.  He was 22 years old.

Norwood Thomas Jenkins was born on April 21, 1921 in Henderson, North Carolina, the son of James Wiggins Jenkins Sr. and Elizabeth Christine Thomas Jenkins.  He graduated from Henderson High School in the Class of 1938 and from the Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina in 1942.

Cpt Jenkins was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 11,1942 and was deployed to the Pacific Theater of War in August 1943 where he commanded the 469th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, Coast Artillery Corps. 

Anti-Aircraft Artillery battalions, equipped with 90mm guns, 40mm Bofors, and .50 cal machine guns, were critical to the "Island Hopping" strategy of the war in the Pacific by securing captured airfields from counterattacks.   Units often faced harsh jungle conditions and operated alongside infantry divisions.

In 1942 and early 1943, General Douglas MacArthur's forces fought off a series of Japanese offensives in Papua, New Guinea in the Kokoda Track campaign, Battle of Milne Bay, Battle of Buna–Gona, the Battle of Wau and the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Following these victories, the initiative passed to the Allies. Australian troops from the 9th Division, supported by US naval forces from the VII Amphibious Force. made successful landings September 4-6, 1943 at Lae, New Guinea. 

On September 5, 1943  Allied forces attacked the Japanese base at Nadzab, New Guinea. The Nadzab action began with a parachute drop at Lae Nadzab Airport, combined with an overland force. The parachute drop was carried out by the US Army's 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment and elements of the Australian Army's 2/4th Field Regiment into Nadzab, New Guinea in the Markham Valley, observed by General Douglas MacArthur, circling overhead in a B-17. The Australian 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion, 2/6th Field Company, and B Company, Papuan Infantry Battalion reached Nadzab after an overland and river trek that same day and began preparing the airfield. The first transport aircraft landed the next morning, but bad weather delayed the Allied build up. Over the next days, the 25th Infantry Brigade of the Australian 7th Division gradually arrived.

The primary mission of Capt. Jenkins’ anti-aircraft artillery battalion was to defend the airfields in the Papua, New Guinea area successfully captured and constructed in the New Guinea campaign from counterattacks by the Imperial Japanese air force.  He was wounded in action and subsequently died of typhus fever February 17, 1944 in Papua, New Guinea.    

Captain Norwood Thomas Jenkins is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina.

Last edited: 30 May 2026