SSG Orlo Roy Jensen, 1/39 Infantry, WWII

I just received a message from Roy Jensen, whose father Orlo Jensen had a very impressive service record with the 39th Infantry Regiment during the Second World War. SSG Jensen saw action with Paddy's Gang throughout the whole of the US participation in the 'European' war, from start to finish, all the way from North Africa to Germany.

We know Orlo Jensen began (and almost certainly finished) as an Infantryman; his Combat Infantryman's Badge proves that. And, being in Company Mike, he would very likely have been a heavy weapons team leader, either on 81mm mortars or the .30 cal machine guns.

Further details of his campaigns are included in the excerpt from Roy's email, below. I note that SSG Jensen was awarded three (three!) Bronze Stars.

I certainly encourage anyone who knows more to write in, whether they have further news of Orlo Jensen, or Mike Company, or who can just tell more about the regiment's campaigns during WWII.

Obviously, there aren't a lot of WWII vets left, but from time to time I hear from some and I will keep you all posted if I do.

Roy, thanks again for writing -- this is fascinating.

AAAO!

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I'm trying to find any information on my father during WWII:

ORLO ROY JENSEN SSG
3 BRONZE STARS
39th INFANTRY

He was part of the unit when it was stationed at Fort Lewis . . . stayed with the unit until he went home at the end of the war.

Can you suggest where I could find unit histories from WWII?

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Military Records indicate:

Company M, 39th Infantry

S/Sgt O.R. Jensen ASN 39675754

Letter to his mother identified him in the following places

1 Oct 1942 Pvt, Co H, 15th Inf, Camp Pickett, Virginia

17 Dec 1942 Africa - Algeria, French Morocco

1 Jan 1943 CIB, Normandy, Tunisia

12 July 1943, PFC, South Africa

Sep 1943, Sicily

12 Oct 1943, Sicily

1 Nov 1943, Sicily

1 Dec 1943, England

7 Jan 1944, England

10 Jan 1944, England

8 Feb 1944, PFC England

19 Oct 1944, Germany

20 July 1945, Travelled on SS Santa Cecilia

31 July 1945, Arrived at New York, Fort Douglas

3 Aug 1945, Separation from the Army

8 Aug 1945, Recorded his discharge papers at Logan County Court House

Participated in the following Campaigns

Algeria

Morocco

Tunisia

Sicily

Campaign Stars For

Africa

Tunisia

Sicily

Normandy

Northern France and Belgium

Rhineland

Awards:

3 Bronze Stars

Contact details

Roy Jensen
yor191919@sbcglobal.net

All in all, that's a mighty long way to travel, and the list of locations and campaigns neatly sums up the story of the 39th Infantry Regiment in WWII. Again, if you have anything to add, drop me a line or contact Roy Jensen directly.

AAAO!

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