William E. Jennings, Jr.

U.S. Army
Vietnam
1966-1969

Born on Staten Island on Feb 6, 1949, I was raised on Van Pelt Ave, and attended Public
School 44, Junior High School 51, and Port Richmond High School. My interests were
Boy Scout Troop 32 St. Michael’s, baseball, and, most of all, fishing.

I enlisted in October 1966. Attended Basic training in Fort Gordon, Georgia, AIT at Ft. Gordon, Georgia Signal School. Served PP 50th Signal Battalion and B Troop 3/17th Air Cavalry RVN. During my military
service I was awarded The Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service while serving in Vietnam from 1968-1969.

Upon leaving the military, I attended the old Staten Island Community College for an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting while working on Wall Street. In 1981, I started working with William H. Sadlier, Inc. in the Accounts Payable Department where I spent the next thirty-three years–retiring in 2014.

As a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. I worked for veterans across Staten Island, New York City and State to better the lives of veterans and their families. As a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. I held the office of Vice President with Chapter 421, Staten Island. Also, Treasurer of The NY State Council of Vietnam Veterans, Inc.

Not too many days go by without a thought of one of my friends who were KIA or have since passed because of their service in Vietnam. I started a project a few years ago to honor each of 23 childhood friends with a wooden plaque with their KIA date engraved in script over their name, created with a scroll saw. It grew into honoring all 85 men from Staten Island who gave their lives in Vietnam. I delivered the 85
plaques to “The Wall” in D.C. and created a video tribute which can be found at
www.facebook.com/stogie26a/videos/10221852953530978 A special thank you
to VVA Chapter 421, who donated the wood to help make my mission possible.

Sponsored by William Jennings