JENSEN, JAY ROBERT
Deceased
Name: Jay Robert Jensen
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.
June 1998
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.
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."
Use your Browser's BACK function to return to the PREVIOUS page