JENNIS

Real Name: Jennis (first name unrevealed)

Identity/Class: Human (post-World War II era)

Occupation: Professor, communications specialist

Group Membership: US Rangers

Affiliations: Dawes

Enemies: Chinese army

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: U.S. Rangers headquarters in Korea during the Korean War

First Appearance: Men in Action I#4 (July, 1952)

Powers/Abilities: Jennis was a specialist in communications technology. He could also speak Chinese (possibly Mandarin).

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'8")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 120 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: White

History:
(Men in Action I#4/3 (fb) - BTS) - Jennis was a professor in civilian life who joined the armed forces during the Korean War. Although he was not trained in combat, he was placed with the US Rangers because of his mastery of radio communications equipment. In order to use his expertise to sabotage Chinese forces in Korea, Jennis was sent into the field with Dawes as his bodyguard. Unknown to Jennis, Dawes' orders were to kill Jennis in case there was a threat of his being captured because of the amount of valuable information Jennis possessed.

(Men in Action I#4/3) - On September 23, 1951, Jennis went into the field with the US Rangers to a town on the coast of Korea, 50 miles behind enemy lines. Chinese forces had their radio shack atop a high cliff and from the cliff possessed an excellent view of the Rangers as they landed on the shore. Many of the Rangers were killed during the landing but Jennis made it to shore. He felt safe seeing that Dawes was nearby with his gun in his hand, unaware of why Dawes never holstered his weapon.

    The Rangers attempted to ascend the hill but the first squad was trapped by barbed wire and shot down. Jennis identified an old stairway that had been used during peacetime and ascended the stairs with the Rangers. The Rangers killed most of the soldiers on the top of the cliff and Dawes threw a grenade into the radio shack. Jennis was annoyed that Dawes had used a grenade because the shrapnel could have ruined the radio transmitter, which would have meant the entire mission would fail.

    Entering the radio shack, Dawes found the operator of the radio transmitter had shielded the transmitter from the blast with his body. Removing the body, Dawes turned over the transmitter to Jennis and he began transmitting messages in Chinese to the enemy forces in the area so that they would redirect their reinforcements on a wild goose chase, giving other Rangers an opportunity to dynamite the enemy's train lines. While Jennis spoke over the radio, Dawes stood behind him, pointing his gun at Jennis' head.

    The operation was a success and the train lines were blown up. Hearing the explosion, Dawes ordered Jennis to leave the radio so they could exit but another squad of Chinese forces had ascended the cliff and were mobilizing to retake the radio shack. Jennis noticed Dawes hadn't fired a single shot from his gun and wondered why Dawes had the gun aimed at him. Before Dawes could explain, the assaulting Chinese forces were shot down by a strafing fire from a U.S. Air Force plane. Using the plane as a distraction, Dawes dragged Jennis from the radio shack and they raced down from the cliff and back to their landing crafts.

    Returning to headquarters, Jennis reported on the success of their mission to a general. Jennis told the general that he was never afraid, knowing Dawes was there as his bodyguard. It was only then that the general informed Jennis that Dawes' orders were to kill him if capture seemed eminent.

Comments: Created by Paul S. Newman and Bill Savage.

    This profile was completed on 09/16/2025 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Jennis should not be confused with:

Dawes

Dawes was a US Ranger assigned to accompany Jennis on his assignment to disrupt Chinese supply lines through their radio communications. Dawes was ordered by a general that if there was any threat of Jennis being captured, he would execute the professor. Dawes remained close to Jennis throughout their mission and on a few occasions was prepared to kill Jennis but ultimately both men came back alive from the mission. It was only after the mission's success that Jennis was informed of Dawes' instructions.





--Men in Action I#4/3

images: (without ads)
Men in Action I#4/3, page 1, panel 1 (Jennis, main)
Men in Action I#4/3, page 5, panel 1 (Jennis, face)
Men in Action I#4/3, page 4, panel 7 (Dawes)

Appearances:
Men in Action I#4/3 (July, 1952) - Paul S. Newman (writer), Bill Savage (artist), Stan Lee (editor)

First posted: 09/20/2026
Last updated: 09/16/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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