Billy Jinwright

Images and narrative sourced from: Southport Historical Society.

Out of the many Brunswick County men and women who served in the Vietnam war, ten lost their lives in service to our country. Here is some information about Captain McKenzie William “Billy” Jinwright.

Billy Jinwright graduated from Brunswick County Training School, class of 1960. He was the second of five children born to his parents, Governor and Sadie Jinwright.

Billy is remembered as being a very talented artist and a stellar academic student. Teachers would employ him to create works of art on their bulletin boards depicting the seasons and holidays.

Billy entered North Carolina A&T College, Greensboro in 1960, studying to become an architectural engineer. He entered the school’s ROTC program.

Billy was drafted before he could graduate. He completed his architectural engineering degree in the U.S. Army. When his sister Sarah joined the Army as a nurse, it was Billy who administered the oath.

Billy was a gifted architect. He drew the blueprints for the Blockade Runner Hotel in Wrightsville Beach. He also drew the plans for the open-air amphitheater at Fort Bragg. The founders’ block bears his name.

Billy served with Charlie Company, 8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (AMBL), USARV and distinguished himself in heroic and caring ways.

He became an engineer and attained the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart medal for his combat related wounds, the Vietnam Service medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service medal, the National Defense Service medal, and the Good Conduct medal.

Billy gave the last full measure of devotion when his helicopter crashed September 3, 1969. He was 27 years old.

Captain McKenzie William Jinwright now rests in the Wilmington National Cemetery. In November, 2020, a tribute was made in honor of Captain Jinwright at the Brunswick County Training School High School reunion.