A funeral service is planned at 11 a.m. Monday at FitzHenry's Chapel of Faith in Carson City for Adam Robert Jenkins, 82, of Minden, who died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at FitzHenry's chapel. Burial will follow Monday's funeral at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.
He recently relocated from Smith Mountain Lake, Va., to live with his son and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Junius Jenkins and Birdie Belvin Jenkins, two sisters and three brothers.
Survivors include his sister and brother-in-law, Bertie and Basil Padgett of Roanoke, Va.; son and daughter-in-law, Michael A and Janet Jenkins of Minden; grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Jeffrey, Kyle, Eric and Nicole; eight great-grandchildren; and various nieces and nephews.
Born in Virginia, Mr. Jenkins spent many years traveling around the world with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and while working for the Flying Tigers and Trans World Airlines. He served in the European, African and Middle Eastern theaters as a member of the Mighty 8th Squadron. He was a rear gunner for the Flying Fortress "Bat Outta Hell."
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, American Defense Service Medal, European Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
He was the first U.S. soldier to shoot down an enemy plane in Europe during World War II.
He retired from TWA as a master mechanic in 1990. He was life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Air Museum in Britain, Air Force Memorial Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Good Sam and the National Fisherman's Association.
He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed traveling, camping, boating and spending time with his family.