Here you'll find all collections you've created before. Jenkins was held in a Spartan single room with three other GIs who had deserted since 1962 - Pte James "Joe" Dresnok, a 6'5 giant of a man; Pte Larry Abshier - believed to be the first US soldier to defect to the North; and Cpl Jerry Parrish, just 19 when he went over, who said that if he ever went home to Kentucky his father-in-law would kill him. He was only 24 years old. After her death, reportedly from lung cancer in 1997, Dresnok wed the daughter of a Togolese diplomat and a North Korean woman, and had a third son. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Jenkins broke down after his release, sobbing: "I made a big mistake of my life, but getting my daughters out of there, that was one right thing I did.". He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on February 21, 2013. These films made Jenkins a celebrity; he was recognized on the street as "Dr. After playing basketball in college, Charles joined the Navy. [5] The American men fought amongst themselves, with Jenkins later describing the 6-foot-4-inch (1.93m) Dresnok as a bully who informed on the others to their captors. I looked at her one time. Hitomi Soga, who would become Mrs Jenkins, was a 19-year-old nurse in 1978 when she was seized from her home island of Sado, off Japan's west coast. Getty ImagesCharles Jenkins and his family. Charles Jenkins and Hitomi Soga - NKHIDDENGULAG U.S. sergeant Charles Jenkins, who defected to North Korea in the 1960s and was held prisoner in Pyongyang for 40 years, has died. One January night, Mr Jenkins said he downed several beers, walked across the DMZ, and surrendered to North Korean soldiers there. They were grateful for each other. 1996: The Pentagon confirms Jenkins and three other suspected deserters are alive in North Korea. "I wouldn't trade it for nothing.". By clicking submit, you agree to receive emails from Rolling Out and accept our web terms of use and privacy and cookie policy.
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