By John Dekhane
For Lebanon Local
In war, there are stories of heroism, sacrifice and loss, but few are as heartbreaking as the tale of Pvt. Calvin G. Jennings and Pvt. Alvin J. Jennings.
Twin brothers from Lebanon, Calvin and Alvin were more than just siblings – they were inseparable, bound by a love and devotion that transcended everything else. They were born together, lived together and, ultimately, died for their country within weeks of each other. Their story is one of undying brotherhood, a bond so deep that, even in death, they remained united.
Born on May 11, 1925, Calvin and Alvin were the beloved sons of James “Jim” and Katherine “Etta” Jennings. When the boys were six months old, the family moved to Lebanon where the twins spent their childhood in the close-knit community. Like most twins, they had an extraordinary connection, an unspoken understanding that only they could share. They attended Lebanon Union High School, where they were known for their kindness, humor and unwavering loyalty to one another. Everyone who met them could see that they were more than just brothers – they were best friends, always side by side.
As they grew, so did their sense of responsibility. In 1943, at 18 years old, both Calvin and Alvin married young women named Margaret – Calvin to Margaret J. Fairbanks and Alvin to Margaret C. Smith. Their happiness, however, was short-lived. A few months after their weddings, they made the decision to enlist in the U.S. Army, determined to defend the country they loved. Their bond was as strong as ever, but for the first time in their lives, war would separate them.
Calvin and Alvin crossed the Atlantic to join the fight against tyranny. Calvin was assigned to the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, and found himself battling German forces in France. Meanwhile, Alvin joined the 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, and was sent to Italy, fighting in the brutal Italian Campaign. Despite the distance between them, they never stopped writing to each other. Their letters were filled with reassurance, encouragement and hope. But on July 18, 1944, Calvin’s letters suddenly stopped. That was the day he was killed in action near Saint-Lô, Normandy.
For weeks, Alvin clung to hope, telling himself Calvin was simply too busy to write. But when the dreaded news arrived, it was as if a part of him had died, too. His brother – his other half – was gone. Yet Alvin pressed on, throwing himself into battle with renewed determination, as if fighting for both of them. A few weeks later, on October 9, 1944, Alvin met the same tragic fate near Livergnano, Italy. The bond they shared in life had followed them into death.
Their parents were devastated. No words could describe their grief. They had lost not one son, but two – their twin boys, gone forever. The weight of their sorrow followed them for the rest of their lives. Etta passed away on July 2, 1957, never fully recovering from the loss of her sons. Jim lived until April 2, 1968, carrying the pain of their deaths to his final days.
Today, the Jennings twins rest 700 miles from each other – Calvin at the Normandy American Cemetery in France, his grave overlooking the cliffs of Omaha Beach, surrounded by 9,387 fellow fallen soldiers, and Alvin at the Florence American Cemetery in Italy, among 4,393 American heroes who never returned home. Though separated in life, they are now part of two of the most sacred grounds in the world, resting among brothers in arms.
Their story is not just one of war – it is a story of love, sacrifice and an unbreakable bond that even death could not sever. Lebanon must never forget its sons, Calvin and Alvin Jennings – two brothers who lived for each other, fought for their country and died thousands of miles away from home. Their names should be spoken with reverence, their sacrifice honored not just in cemeteries across the ocean, but in the hearts of those who cherish freedom. They were more than soldiers; they were two halves of a whole, bound together in life, in war and in death. We owe them more than remembrance – we owe them our voices to carry their story, our hearts to honor their sacrifice, and our promise that their names will never fade from history.
*John Dekhane writes tribute articles dedicated to World War II fallen heroes and submitted this piece for Lebanon Local readers.