Thornton A. Jenkins

Biography

Thornton A. Jenkins entered the Navy in the age of sail and served with distinction in the Mexican War before becoming a seasoned leader during the Civil War, when he commanded squadrons on blockade duty and oversaw critical ship construction. His experience bridged eras of naval transformation as steam power and ironclads reshaped maritime warfare.

In retirement he continued to share his knowledge of seamanship and naval discipline, and Arlington National Cemetery holds his memory among the naval officers who ensured the Union’s supremacy at sea.