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A Memorial Day Reminder - Francis and Michael Fenton, United States Marine Corps
Posted on 5/24/20 at 5:44 am
Posted on 5/24/20 at 5:44 am
quote:
While Colonel Fenton advanced to higher command, his younger son, Michael, enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 17, 1943, and joined B Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division – the same division in which his father commanded the engineers. Reportedly turning down a commission so he could fight at the front, Michael served as a scout-sniper (on) Okinawa.
Father and son met once during the fighting when their paths crossed at a partially destroyed Okinawan farmhouse. After exchanging news from home, including information on Michael’s older brother, Francis, Jr., who had been commissioned a Marine officer in 1941, the two family members returned to their work.
They would never talk again. On May 7, 1945, while beating back a Japanese counterattack not far from Sugar Loaf, 19-year-old Pfc. Michael Fenton was killed. When his father received the bitter news, he traveled to the site of his son’s death and knelt down to pray over the flagdraped body, a scene that produced one of the Pacific war’s most touching photographs. Upon arising, Colonel Fenton stared at the bodies of other Marine dead and said: ‘Those poor souls. They didn’t have their fathers here’.
US Marine Colonel Francis Fenton conducting the funeral of his son Private First Class Mike Fenton, Okinawa, 1945
15
Posted on 5/24/20 at 6:39 am to Wolfhound45
Thanks to the REAL front line heroes of our real wars.
Posted on 5/24/20 at 6:43 am to Wolfhound45
Posted on 5/24/20 at 8:15 am to tigerinthebueche
Thanks to all who have served.
Posted on 5/24/20 at 8:33 am to Wolfhound45
Thanks for reminding me about this moment and the picture. Semper Fi, Soldier!
Posted on 5/24/20 at 9:03 am to Wolfhound45
Just a succinct, sobering reminder of what this weekend truly means. Much respect to Colonel (later Brig Gen) Fenton.
Posted on 5/24/20 at 10:42 am to Wolfhound45
Semper Fi Marine.
This is always a tough weekend for me. To many comrades were carried home. R.I.P. all.
This is always a tough weekend for me. To many comrades were carried home. R.I.P. all.
This post was edited on 5/24/20 at 10:43 am
Posted on 5/24/20 at 11:04 am to Wolfhound45
So many brave men. So many heartbroken fathers and mothers.
Posted on 5/24/20 at 1:07 pm to Wolfhound45
Posted on 5/24/20 at 2:13 pm to Wolfhound45
Thanks for posting. A good reminder that Memorial Day is not simply about being off work, some brew, and barbecue.
Your post reminded me of another Marine officer and father who lost his son in a more recent war which continues to resonate with the Misanthrope clan, particularly at this time of the year.
From Business Insider: John Kelly's Speech About Marines In Ramadi
The term Hero is rare, very narrowly defined, and is used inappropriately much too often.
Your post reminded me of another Marine officer and father who lost his son in a more recent war which continues to resonate with the Misanthrope clan, particularly at this time of the year.
From Business Insider: John Kelly's Speech About Marines In Ramadi
quote:
Six seconds.
Not enough time to think about their families, their country, their flag, or about their lives or their deaths, but more than enough time for two very brave young men to do their duty … into eternity.
That is the kind of people who are on watch all over the world tonight—for you.
quote:
...One of the Iraqis elaborated and with tears welling up said, “They’d run like any normal man would to save his life.”
...Choking past the emotion he said, “Sir, in the name of God no sane man would have stood there and done what they did.”
“No sane man.”
“They saved us all.”
The term Hero is rare, very narrowly defined, and is used inappropriately much too often.
Posted on 5/24/20 at 2:19 pm to Wolfhound45
quote:
Reportedly turning down a commission so he could fight at the front
Heartfelt and wonderful story, and I upvoted you for posting this; However, the quote above in the article is misleading and a bit of bullshite. Commissioned Officers, especially at the company grade, most definitely serve in the front lines along with their soldiers or marines.
Posted on 5/24/20 at 3:31 pm to Wolfhound45
A true example of using the word hero. Let's remember.
Posted on 5/24/20 at 3:54 pm to Wolfhound45
Posted on 5/24/20 at 4:36 pm to Wolfhound45
Article from the Clarion-Ledger:
Posted on 5/24/20 at 9:48 pm to Captain Lafitte
quote:Thanks for posting that. An incredible story of sacrifice.
Captain Lafitte
Posted on 5/24/20 at 10:40 pm to Wolfhound45
You're quite welcome.
Posted on 5/25/20 at 2:58 am to Wolfhound45
damn, why did he go in as an enlisted man?
Should have been in the rear with the gear like his brother and dad.
Should have been in the rear with the gear like his brother and dad.
Posted on 5/25/20 at 3:56 am to Wolfhound45
RIP to all of the real heroes today. We all owe a debt that can never be repaid.
Posted on 5/25/20 at 5:27 am to Wolfhound45
I teared up.
Posted on 5/25/20 at 7:41 am to Armymann50
quote:An incredible story. I cannot imagine doing something like this. Semper Fi.
I teared up.
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