Joseph R. Jelinek
{{short description|United States Army general}}
{{Infobox military person
|name = Joseph R. Jelinek
|birth_date = {{birth date|1919|05|26}}
|birth_place = Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|1978|5|13|1919|05|26}}
|death_place = Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.
|placeofburial= Arlington National Cemetery
|image =
|caption =
|allegiance = United States
|branch = United States Army
|serviceyears = 1939–1976
|rank = Brigadier General
|unit = Nebraska Army National Guard
Army National Guard
|commands =
|battles = World War II
|awards = Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Bronze Star Medal
|laterwork =
}}
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.
Early life
Joseph Richard Jelinek was born in Omaha, Nebraska on May 26, 1919.Social Security Death Index, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013 He attended Creighton University and in 1939 joined Company L, 134th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the Nebraska Army National Guard.U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013
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.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=nG_fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22joseph+richard+jelinek%22+%22legion+of+merit%22 National Guardsman magazine], Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
He served in the Pacific Theater with the 32nd Infantry Division, and received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=nG_fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22joseph+richard+jelinek%22+%22legion+of+merit%22 National Guardsman magazine], Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
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.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=nG_fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22joseph+richard+jelinek%22+%22legion+of+merit%22 National Guardsman magazine], Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
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.U.S. Government Printing Office, [https://books.google.com/books?id=boAuAAAAIAAJ&q=joseph+jelinek+%22deputy+director%22 Congressional Record], Volume 113, Part 29, 1967, page D-362 From 1971 to 1973 he served on the staff in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=nG_fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22joseph+richard+jelinek%22+%22legion+of+merit%22 National Guardsman magazine], Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
He was appointed deputy director of the Army National Guard in 1973 and promoted to Brigadier General.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Km3fAAAAMAAJ&q=joseph+jelinek+%22purple+heart%22 National Guardsman magazine], Volumes 26-27, 1972, page 40 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.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=nG_fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22joseph+richard+jelinek%22+%22legion+of+merit%22 National Guardsman magazine], Volume 32, Issues 4-6, 1978, page 30
=Additional awards=
In 1991 Jelinek was named to the Nebraska Army National Guard Regional Training Institute's Hall of Fame.Nebraska Army National Guard, [http://media01.bigblackbag.net/47306/portfolio_media/program_graduation_192.pdf Officer Candidate School Graduation Program]{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 2012, page 4
Death and burial
Jelinek died in Fairfax, Virginia on May 13, 1978, following an extended illness.Social Security Death Index, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, entry for Joseph R. Jelinek, accessed June 4, 2013 He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 11, Grave 681–1.{{cite news |date=May 16, 1978 |title=Jelinek Rites at Arlington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/129424441/ |work=Omaha World-Herald |location=Omaha, NE |page=30 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Family
In 1941 Jelinek married Eleanor Dreier (1921–1984).Douglas County (Nebraska) Clerk and Comptroller, [http://www.douglascountyclerk.org/marriage-licenses/marriagelicensesearch?searchgroom=Search&firstname=p&lastname=ek Marriage License Archives], entry for Joseph Jelinek and Eleanor Dreier, accessed June 4, 2013 They were the parents of one daughter and four sons: Cindy; Donald Paul; Joseph Michael; Steven Richard; and David Alan.{{cite news |date=May 14, 1965 |title=They're on the Move in Suburban Areas: Indian Village |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/65629027/ |newspaper=Lincoln Star |location=Lincoln, NE |page=11 |url-access=subscription }}{{cite news |date=May 16, 1978 |title=Death Notice: Joseph R. Jelinek, Former Deputy Of National Guard |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1978/05/16/joseph-r-jelinek-former-deputy-of-national-guard/ced8d0a5-12a5-4509-8017-ba97951af72c/ |newspaper=Washington Post |location=Washington, DC}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgdqZWxpbmVrEgZqb3NlcGg-/ Joseph R. Jelinek] at Arlington National Cemetery
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jelinek, Joseph R.}}
Category:Military personnel from Omaha, Nebraska
Category:Military personnel from Fairfax, Virginia
Category:United States Army personnel of World War II
Category:United States Army generals