Private First Class Robert J. McKenna, United States Army Military Police Corps, U.S. Government

Private First Class Robert J. McKenna

United States Army Military Police Corps, U.S. Government

End of Watch Tuesday, February 22, 1966

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Robert J. McKenna

PFC Robert McKenna was shot and killed while attempting to stop two men from leaving Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Unbeknownst to PFC McKenna, the two suspects had robbed a local bar and fired shots earlier in the night. The two men entered the installation to buy ice and when they attempted to exit through the gate PFC McKenna noticed handguns inside the vehicle. One of the suspects exited the vehicle and shot him in the face. One of the suspects was sentenced to life and the other was sentenced to 25 years.

The gate where PFC McKenna was murdered was later renamed the McKenna Gate.

PFC McKenna served with the U.S. Army for one year and was assigned to the 140th MP Company at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He was survived by his parents and 16 brothers and sisters.

Bio

Age 23
Tour 1 year
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Georgia
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to life

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I never met PFC McKenna, but his presence was all over the 140th MP Co. I was assigned a year later, I spent many shifts at McKenna Gate. Because of his death, the Army, and the 140th to be specific, the communications between the Provost Marshall office and the Gates was improved. As was communications beyond the Fort. I was assigned to McKenna one night and a local Augusta Taxi Cab pulled up to the gate. The driver got out and asked to use the bathroom at the gate. The two men in the cab had a BOLO for armed robbery. As he walked pasted me he said he got an emergency message the locals were looking for them. I told him to pick up the hand set in the gate and say MP needs help. I turned to the cab withdrew my weapon and pointed to them. And told them to stay where they were. Within about one minute multiple MP cruisers arrived. That whole reaction was to what happened a year earlier to Bobby McKenna. That stayed with me ever since. And I never told the McKenna family that some out here still remembers Bobby.

The PFC Robert (Bobby) Hogan
140th Military Police Company

July 21, 2024