Reginald Atkins was a dedicated Korean War veteran born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 8th 1933. He grew up with his older brother and they attended Des Moines East High School. In high school, Reginald was an excellent athlete. He participated in track and field and football. On the football team he played as their starting running back. However, it was track and field where he truly excelled. We won multiple events at the Drake Relays and even went on to win the long jump at state. He graduated high school in 1951, and was drafted into the US Army in 1952. While in the army he served as a corporal for the Service Battery of the 58th Field Artillery Battalion which risked their lives to supply the Allied forces with the proper materials and equipment for war and safety. In 1953, after the end of the Korean war, Reginald was honorably discharged and given the following awards: Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. He later moved to the Army Reserves before becoming a parole officer to continue serving his community. In 1960 he found the love of his life, Lenetta. He married her and she took in his two kids, Kenneth and Regina as ones of her own. Overall, throughout his life, Reginald chose to dedicate himself to his community as he was a very caring and passionate man who valued helping others. Although his track and field success indicates that he could have gone on to be a great athlete, he chose service for his country and community after his return from the war. Although he sadly passed on May 9, 2020, he will forever leave a legacy of amazing dedication to his community and great care for the people around him.


Reginald Atkins was a US Army Corporal born in Des Moines, Iowa June 8th, in 1933 and died surrounded by family in Des Moines, Iowa, May 9th 2020. Reginald Atkins grew up in Des Moines, Iowan with his brother Richard and sister Alice. As a student Reginald went to East High School and was a part of the school football team and track and field team. While in the U.S. Reginald was a part of the service battery of the 58th field artillery battalion. His role was to provide fire support and batteries to support the 3rd infantry division. As he worked during the Korean War he was transitioned to Corporal Reginald Atkins. Reginald has received the Korea Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. He later moved to the Army Reserves and then left to become a parole officer. Reginald is the husband to Lenetta Braddy whom he married in 1960 and while they did not have children together. Reginald had kids from a previous relationship. Reginald is survived by his two children Kenneth and Regina as well as his two grandchildren Katiya Bell and Kenneth Atkins Jr. Reginald was a kind and considerate man who touched the lives of everyone he met. His granddaughter Katiya says that she still listens to his voicemail to hear his voice and she wishes she could have one more conversation with him. 


Reginald Atkins was a US Army Corporal born in Des Moines, Iowa June 8th, in 1933 and died surrounded by family in Des Moines, Iowa, May 9th 2020. Reginald Atkins grew up in Des Moines, Iowa with his brother Richard and sister Alice. As a student Reginald went to East High School and was a part of the school football team and track and field team. While in the U.S. Reginald was a part of the service battery of the 58th field artillery battalion. His role was to provide fire support and batteries to support the 3rd infantry division. As he worked during the Korean War he was transitioned to Corporal Reginald Atkins. Reginald has received the Korea Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. He later moved to the Army Reserves and then left to become a parole officer. Reginald is the husband to Lenetta Braddy whom he married in 1960 and while they did not have children together. Reginald had kids from a previous relationship. Reginald is survived by his two children Kenneth and Regina as well as his two grandchildren Katiya Bell and Kenneth Atkins Jr. Reginald was a kind and considerate man who touched the lives of everyone he met. His granddaughter Katiya says that she still listens to his voicemail to hear his voice and she wishes she could have one more conversation with him. 


An African American man wearing a white hat and track jacket.

Reginald Atkins’s 1951 yearbook photograph. Des Moines East High School.

Reginald Atkins as a high school student, wearing a jacket and tie.

Reggie Atkins (#55), was a running back for Des Moines East High School. Des Moines Register, November 11, 1950.

Reginald Atkins running with a football ad evading a defender as a referee watches.

Des Moines East High School, c.1950. Des Moines Public Schools.

Drake Relay results showing Reginald Atkins and his teammates competing in the quarter-mile and half-mile relay races, 1950. Drake University.

Service Members of the 58th Field Artillery Battalion, B Battery, at Outpost Harry. Courtesy of Dewey McLean.

An integrated group of service members playing pool.

Master Sergeant George Miller selects human blood for patient at the 8076th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital at Kunr-ri, Korea. November 27, 1950. National Archives and Records Administration (111-SC-354716).

A soldier pulling a bottle of human blood outside of a field hospital in Korea.

Atkins acted as parole officer in a high profile case. Des Moines Register, April 15, 1982.

A newspaper article describing a car chase where Reginald Atkins was the parole officer.

Reginald Atkins’s wife, Lenetta. Des Moines Register, February 3, 2017.

An African American woman with short hair and glasses.

Reginald Atkins’s grave at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa, March 28, 2025.

Reginald Atkins's grave. The inscription reads, "beloved father, husband, friend, and grandfather."

Iowa Veterans Cemetery

	Corporal Reginald Atkins, born in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 8, 1933, to Ethel Ritchie and Robert Atkins.  Reginald passed on May 9, 2020.  He is buried in Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa.  Reginald passed inside his home and was laid to rest with full military honors on May 19, 2020, leaving a legacy of military service, public service, and community involvement.  
	Atkins grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, with his older brother, Richard and younger sister, Alice who tragically passed away as an infant.  Reginald attended Des Moines, East High School, where he graduated in 1951.  At East, he ran track and field and participated in the Drake Relays.  He won numerous events between 1950 and 1951.  Reginald was also a member of the 1950 state indoor track championship 440-yard relay and 880-yard relay teams.  They were disqualified in the 880-yard relay, but won the 440-yard relay.  Atkins also went on to win the Iowa State High School long jump championship in 1951 with the jump of 21 feet and 5 inches.  Besides running, he also was the starting running back for East High’s football team.  Reginald’s devotion to teamwork and physical fitness in his early life was an asset later on during his service.  
	Reginald Atkins was drafted into the U.S Army on March 14, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa.  He was a part of the 58th Field Artillery Battalion’s Service Battery, which provided essential supplies like ammunition and fuel to artillery units.  This support was especially crucial at Outpost Harry in Korea.  Outpost Harry was an important hill that Allied forces fought hard to keep.  This Service Battery's consistent delivery of supplies, including ammunition, food, and medical aid, was vital for the success of the mission.  He was promoted to the rank of corporal on June 9, 1953, and received several awards for his service, such as the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.  When the Korean Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, he had experienced the final violent months of war.  Reginald Atkins was released from active military service on December 15, 1953, at Camp Carson, Colorado, and transitioned to the Army Reserves in Des Moines, Iowa.  
	After completing his active duty, Reginald fulfilled his military service obligations in the U.S Army Reserves, as mandated by the Universal Military Training and Service Act.  In 1960, he married Henetta Braddy, an educator from Mississippi.  Although they didn’t have any children together, Reginald had two children from a previous relationship: Kenneth and Regina, whom Lenetta embraced. Atkins was known for his warmth as a father and grandfather.  His granddaughter Katiya expressed her deep affection, stating “Oh how I miss you so much Grandpa…I wish I could have just one more conversation with you.”  Lenetta, having a master;s degree in library science, worked as a librarian at Mercy Hospital.  Both Lenetta and Reginald valued education and community service.  Reginald served as a parole officer for the state of Iowa for many years, guiding and supporting individuals released from prison to reintegrate into society.  His work as a parole officer demonstrated his commitment to public service and community safety.  
	At a national ceremony, I would believe it would be best to honor him as a man who cared for his family, country and community.  It should be noticed how much he put into his community.  Not to mention he served the country and made an impact on the Korean War.  Reginald Atkins will be remembered as a joyful family man who served his community and country.  

Reginald Atkins was my maternal grandfather. It was always nice to call and get advice from him about life. My grandfather planted seeds in my life that I will cherish forever ♥️ I miss him dearly, and I wish we had more time with him. May he continue to Rest In Paradise!

REGINALD ATKINS

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