Rank: Specialist 4
Unit: Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11E – Armor Crewman
Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 11-Nov-1949
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 28-Jun-1968
Start of tour: 24-Nov-1968
Incident date: 13-Apr-1969
Date of casualty: 13-Apr-1969
Age at death: 19
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire.
Kenneth Vern Jensen was killed while on combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. / On reconnaissance in force mission when engaged hostile force in firefight.
Ten Blackhorse troopers died as a result of this incident:
SP4 Larry Bruce Barfield
SP4 Robert Jay Brinkman
SFC Harry Payne Burton Jr
SP4 Charles Chandler
SP4 Gary John Dasher
SSG Harold Lee Greever
SP4 Kenneth Vern Jensen
SGT Bruce Ervin Johnson
SGT Terry Edward Jones
SGT Joseph Anthony Oreto
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam, XT 428 557
Place of interment: Sierra Hills Memorial Park, Sacramento, California, USA
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SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS
SPECIALIST FOUR KENNETH VERN JENSEN
13 APRIL 1969
AIR CAVALRY TROOP
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Jensen distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 13 April 1969 while serving as a rifleman with the Aero Rifle Platoon, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while it was conducting a bomb damage assessment in a heavily fortified enemy base camp, the platoon suddenly came under intense machine gun and antitank rocket fire from a well-concealed and well-entrenched hostile force. Specialist Jensen’s squad which was the lead element was immediately pinned down in an open area directly in front of the enemy positions. Seeing his squad leader hit and critically wounded Specialist Jensen ignoring the intense hostile fire immediately stood up and single handedly charged the entrenched enemy force. With the hostile fire concentrated on him his comrades were able to take up secure positions and evacuate the wounded squad leader. While making his assault he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Specialist Four Jensen’s outstanding courage, unwavering devotion to duty and deep concern for the welfare of his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1106 (2 May 1969)