Chicora vet honored for valor serving in Vietnam
CHICORA — Chicora native and Vietnam veteran Gary Fennell gave the cheering hometown crowd a thumbs-up as he was honored with a Combat “V” for valor Monday.
Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, retired, presented Fennell with a Bronze Star at the town's Memorial Day ceremony, telling the crowd what the Marine did to save lives during his service in the war.
“Somebody gets hit during battle ... two words send chills down everyone's spine, 'Corpsman up,'” Sattler said. “Everybody else can hide behind a rock, but the corpsman can't. The entire unit is relying on him to come forward and administer aid.“The corpsman can't think about the enemy fire. The corpsman has to be totally selfless.”Fennell was the hospitalman corpsman Third Class with Company B of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. During a battle on March 17, 1968, he shielded wounded soldiers from shrapnel with his body so he could administer first aid to them.Fennell said he was humbled by the recognition at Monday's ceremony.“It's overwhelming,” Fennell said. “I never thought the response would be this big.”
American Legion Post 642 members always organize a parade for Memorial Day for Chicora. Last year was the exception because of COVID-19 restrictions.Fred Callihan, American Legion Post chaplain, said the parade always gets a good response, but this year was special, and not just because of the gap year.American Legion members heard about Fennell's selfless actions in Vietnam, and since he hadn't received a Bronze Star, thought it was his time to be recognized.“Gary is from Chicora and lives in Chicora, and I've known him for years, but he came back from Vietnam and really didn't discuss it,” Callihan told the Eagle before the ceremony. “I sat down with him one day and said 'I think we would like to recognize you.' After a long chat, we convinced him.”The American Legion invited Sattler, who was director for strategic plans and policy, Joint Staff, until 2008, and 2nd Lt. Marine Don Olsen to award Fennell the citation. American Legion member Mike McNally knew Sattler and Olsen from their time in the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971, and said his invitation was well received by both.
After the parade, which had more than 70 entries from fire trucks to the Karns City High School marching band, American Legion members gathered for the ceremony at the memorial, which included the roll call of those who died serving their country.The American Legion members recognized Karen Mortland, who was the architect who helped remodel the Honor Roll structure in 2010.In addition to the national anthem and speeches, Sattler and Olsen recognized Fennell in a ritual modeled after the Bronze Star-pinning ceremony. Sattler said Fennell was overdue for this recognition.“Gary Fennell is a role model not only for Chicora but for people all over,” Sattler said. “This was a chance to show the town what a 20-year-old did when he was in the forests of Vietnam and people needed him.”Sattler also said the large attendance was a happy sight.“It means America is alive and kicking,” Sattler said. “Hopefully there's a lot of towns like Chicora out there, because people here are patriotic.”Callihan, too, was happy to see so many people celebrating the day, and said Fennell deserved the turnout.While Fennell said he was overwhelmed by the community support, he also said Memorial Day is about remembering the people who have died, especially those in the service. He said he would be thinking about those individuals throughout the day.“A lot of people lost a lot of lives,” Fennell said. “It's something you just don't forget about. It's pretty inspiring to see all these people here.”
