Stephen W. Jennings
B. Battery - 868th Anti-Aircraft Artillery
The American nation owes much to a select group of dedicated individuals who make it their life's work to protect it. One such member of this group of exceptional individuals was Stephen Jennings of Utica, New York. He began his service to the nation in August of 1941 when he joined the ranks of the FBI as a "fingerprint technician" (1). The outbreak of the war that December turned everything on its head and men such a Stephen were expected to protect the country from espionage and enemy sabotage. His position and service with the FBI were more than honorable, but the proud New Yorker felt it his duty to serve overseas. Stephen would complete "basic training at Ft. Eustis" in 1943 (1). He was posted to several other bases before being deployed to B. Battery of the 868th Anti-Aircraft Artillery as a sergeant (1). The young NCO, and the rest of them men in his battery, were shipped to the recently captured island of Guam. The war scarred landscape testified to the brutality and bloodshed of the battle that had taken place. The sole purpose of retaking this hunk of sand was to make use of its airfield, which the men of the 868th were to protect (2). They would settle into their routine of watching the skies as their counterparts in the Air Corps continued the intense bombing campaign against Japan. The chance of a Japanese air attack was not the biggest threat to Stephen and his battery, it instead was the Japanese forces that remained on the island. Though an extensive campaign of rooting out the Japanese forces had been conducted, many had taken to the mountains and hills, where they continued a campaign of guerrilla warfare (2). Most of the units, including the 868th AAA, spent their time capturing or fighting these Japanese holdouts (2). Stephen would end up being attached to 36th Criminal Investigation Detachment on the island and likely saw his fair share of dealings with the remaining Japanese defenders.
He was to spend the duration of the war on Guam and was likely happy to return stateside, where he didn't have to worry about Japanese soldiers who continued fighting long after the wars end (2). He was discharged in 1946 and opted to return to the FBI, which assigned him to the "New York City office" (1). He spent his days solving crimes by day and studying accounting by night as he attended Fordham University. He also met and married the love of his life, Elna Ketron, in 1947. Further instruction saw him qualify as a special agent, which lead to a career of serving with the FBI in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and New York City (1). By his retirement in 1976, he had served his country in both the FBI and military for around 35 years. The country could hardly have asked for a more dedicated individual.
He was to spend the duration of the war on Guam and was likely happy to return stateside, where he didn't have to worry about Japanese soldiers who continued fighting long after the wars end (2). He was discharged in 1946 and opted to return to the FBI, which assigned him to the "New York City office" (1). He spent his days solving crimes by day and studying accounting by night as he attended Fordham University. He also met and married the love of his life, Elna Ketron, in 1947. Further instruction saw him qualify as a special agent, which lead to a career of serving with the FBI in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and New York City (1). By his retirement in 1976, he had served his country in both the FBI and military for around 35 years. The country could hardly have asked for a more dedicated individual.
Sources:
(1) Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. Turner Pub. Co., 1998. (Pg. 166)
(2) Sommerville, Donald. “Battle of Guam.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 14 July 2020, www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Guam-1944.
(1) Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. Turner Pub. Co., 1998. (Pg. 166)
(2) Sommerville, Donald. “Battle of Guam.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 14 July 2020, www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Guam-1944.