JENSEN, JAY ROBERT Deceased
Name: Jay Robert Jensen
Nov 13, 2004
You list a "Jay Robert Jensen".
My father's correct name was: "Jay Roger Jensen".
I have NO idea where you came up with "Robert"
but I thought I should point out that it was
"Roger", not "Robert." The rest of the info is
correct.
Thanks for getting this changed!
Starr Jensen, M.Ed.
Alaska
NETWORK NOTE: Military records indicate "Robert" on loss
data notes.
Rank/Branch: United States Air Force/O3 Unit: VF 13 Date of Birth: 29 July 1931 Sandy UT Home City of Record: Date of Loss: 18 February 1967 Country of Loss: North Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 183400 North 1055200 East Ha Tinh 15 Miles SE Vinh Status (in 1973): Returnee Category: Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F105F Wild Weasel Missions: Other Personnel in Incident: Refno: 0596
Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.
REMARKS: 730218 RELEASED BY DRV
SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977 Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602 Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and spelling errors).
JAY R. JENSEN Major - United States Air Force Shot Down: February 18, 1967 Released: February 18, 1973
I was born in Sandy, Utah on 29 July 1931 I attended schools there, graduating from Jordan High School in 1949 I worked at a bank in Salt Lake City for a few years and then went on active duty (Korean War) with the Utah Air National Guard in 1951 as an Airman. My first wife, Ruth, and I were married in 1954 and had three children, Carrie, Ellen, who is 18 and married (I have a lovely granddaughter too), Shellie Ann, 16 and Jay Roger. While I was a prisoner, Ruth divorced me (in 1970) and remarried.
I attended Brigham Young University from 1952 through 1955 graduating with a BS in Accounting. I worked for Ernst and Ernst, an accounting firm, for about six months, before entering the Air Force for pilot training in May 1956. I received my Navigator wings at Harlingen, Texas in May 1958, and then went to Electronic Warfare Officer School in Biloxi, Mississippi. Later I went to Air Force Survival School and then to Yokota, Japan to fly in a RB-66C for one year. From Japan I went to Hill AFB, Utah to fly in B-57's, and spent almost four years in a very enjoyable assignment close to my home (many TDYs, and attended Squadron Officer School). Our family became very active in the Mormon Church. I was a scoutmaster for several years.
I then had a staff assignment at Hg. 31st Air Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1964-1966. I received orders for Southeast Asia and reported to Nellis AFB, Nevada, to check out in the F-105 "Wild Weasel" program and arrived at Korat AB, Thailand 18 January 1967. I was shot down on my 13th mission on 18 February 1967. We were attacking a SAM site and a SAM missile got us. Exactly six years later, to the day, I was released with Honor.
I was very hurt and disappointed that my wife divorced me while I was a prisoner, but if that is what she wanted and needed, I am glad she was able to do so while I was a prisoner and not waiting until I returned. I was glad to receive the news while I was a prisoner so that I could adjust and make future plans. I am going to Brigham Young University to obtain a Masters Degree in Business through AFIT, and then teach AFROTC there. I have been fulfilling as many speaking engagements as possible, and have been very impressed with the wonderful reception we POWs have received, as well as the hundreds of letters from bracelet holders and friends I have received and have answered. It really proves to me how grateful and sincere the American people are, and how wonderful America is. The greatest lesson I learned as a POW - to appreciate the many freedoms, blessings, living standards and opportunities we have in "America the Beautiful." The thing that helped me most while I was a POW was my undying FAITH, faith and testimony in my God, Country, Family, and the People of America. I have written a book about my POW experiences entitled "Six Years in Hell" which should be published soon.
I am, and always will be, resolved that "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God, and my Country," my family and, yes, to all mankind, for that is the reason we served so proudly in Vietnam - to protect, and preserve the freedom of South Vietnam - and will do so, in the future, for any other freedom loving country that needs us and is willing to defend their freedom.
===================== Jay Jensen retired from the United States Air Force as a Lt. Colonel. He and his wife Vienne lived in both Florida and Utah until his death. From May 20 until May 25, 1998 Jay and his wife joined 280 former POWs in Dallas, TX, for the Silver Anniversary Reunion of their Homecoming. They flew to Hawaii for a vacation directly from Dallas. He suffered a heart attack on the beach and passed away May 29th. He was only 66 years old.
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Thu Jun 04 1998 Salt Lake Tribune
JAY R. JENSEN
LT. COLONEL, USAF (RET)
Jay Roger Jensen returned Home with Honor, May 29, 1998 after a heart attack while snorkeling with his wife in Hawaii.
Born July 29, 1931 to Milton Jensen and Kate Pierce. Graduated from Jordan High School in 1949. Received his B.S., Masters Degree in Business from B.Y.U. Attained rank of Colonel in the R.O.T.C. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force, earned Navigator Wings in 1958. Reported missing in action in Vietnam, February 18, 1967 during his 13th "Wild Weasel" combat mission. After 34 months his family received word Jay was a P.O.W. Released from Hanoi February 18, 1973 exactly six years after being shot down. Among his decorations were two Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, P.O.W. Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. Retired as Lt. Colonel in 1978 with 28 years of service.
Active in the LDS Church, Eagle Scout, High Priest. Served in numerous positions including Sunday School Teacher, Elders Quorum President, Stake High Council.
Jay enjoyed the outdoors. Loved skiing, fishing, and hunting with family and friends. Writing books, pamphlets and speaking engagements were a great challenge bringing him much happiness. He enjoyed living in Florida in the winter and Utah in the summer.
Married Ruth Meyers, 1954, divorced; Jan Westover, 1973, divorced; Vienne Jensen 1996.
Survived by wife, Vienne; children, Carrie Ellen, of CA; Roger, of Idaho; Sherrie Vail, of Layton; adopted child Starr Jensen, of AK; sisters, Lorna (AJ) Spencer, and Carla Cromeenes, of Sandy; brother, Larry (Eva) Jensen, of West Joesdan; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, June 6, 1998, at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 East 7800 South. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 1998 and one hour prior to service at the mortuary. Interment, Mountain View Memorial Estates. Military Honors conducted by the Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard."
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