Joseph R. Jelinek

Joseph R. Jelinek (May 26, 1919 – May 13, 1978) was a United States Army Brigadier General who served as Deputy Director of the Army National Guard.

Joseph R. Jelinek
Born(1919-05-26)May 26, 1919
Omaha, Nebraska, US
DiedMay 13, 1978(1978-05-13) (aged 58)
Fairfax, Virginia, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1939–1976
RankBrigadier General
UnitNebraska Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsLegion of Merit
Purple Heart
Bronze Star Medal

Early life

Joseph Richard Jelinek was born in Omaha, Nebraska on May 26, 1919.[1] He attended Creighton University and in 1939 joined Company L, 134th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the Nebraska Army National Guard.[2]

World War II

Jelinek was a Corporal when his unit was activated for training in anticipation of United States entry into World War II. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1943 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.[3]

He served in the Pacific Theater with the 32nd Infantry Division, and received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge.[4]

Post World War II

Jelinek remained in the National Guard, primarily in command and staff positions with the 34th Infantry Division and the Nebraska Army National Guard.[5]

He served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Office of Plans, Policy and Programs from 1967 to 1969, and as the Executive Officer to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1969 to 1971.[6] From 1971 to 1973 he served on the staff in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.[7]

He was appointed Deputy Director of the Army National Guard in 1973 and promoted to Brigadier General.[8] Jelinek served in this position until 1976.

Awards and decorations

In addition to his World War II awards, Jelinek was a recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.[9]

Additional awards

In 1991 Jelinek was named to the Nebraska Army National Guard Regional Training Institute's Hall of Fame.[10]

Death and burial

Jelinek died in Fairfax, Virginia on May 13, 1978, following an extended illness.[11][12] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 11, Grave 681-1.[13]

Family

In 1941 Jelinek married Eleanor Dreier (1921-1984).[14] They were the parents of one daughter and four sons: Cindy; Donald Paul; Joseph Michael; Steven Richard; and David Alan.[15][16]

References
  1. Social Security Death Index, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013
  2. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013
  3. National Guard Association of the United States, National Guardsman magazine, Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
  4. National Guard Association of the United States, National Guardsman magazine, Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
  5. National Guard Association of the United States, National Guardsman magazine, Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
  6. U.S. Government Printing Office, Congressional Record, Volume 113, Part 29, 1967, page D-362
  7. National Guard Association of the United States, National Guardsman magazine, Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
  8. National Guard Association of the United States, National Guardsman magazine, Volumes 26-27, 1972, page 40
  9. National Guard Association of the United States, National Guardsman magazine, Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
  10. Nebraska Army National Guard, Officer Candidate School Graduation Program, 2012, page 4
  11. Social Security Death Index, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013
  12. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013
  13. "Jelinek Rites at Arlington". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE. May 16, 1978. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Douglas County (Nebraska) Clerk and Comptroller, Marriage License Archives, entry for Joseph Jelinek and Eleanor Dreier, accessed June 4, 2013
  15. "They're on the Move in Suburban Areas: Indian Village". Lincoln Star. Lincoln, NE. May 14, 1965. p. 11.
  16. "Death Notice: Joseph R. Jelinek, Former Deputy Of National Guard". Washington Post. Washington, DC. May 16, 1978.

Joseph R. Jelinek at Arlington National Cemetery

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.