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In Memory of U.S Marines Corporal

Terry Howard Fenenga

Iona, South Dakota, Brule County

June 22, 1943 – October 18, 1967

Killed in Action in the Vicinity of Quang Tri, Vietnam

Terry Howard Fenenga was born June 22, 1943, in Gregory, South Dakota, to Clifford and Gertrude (Bartels) Fenenga. Growing up, Terry was nicknamed ‘Tarzan’ and always wanted to be a Marine, from the time he was “old enough to read a comic book,” according to relatives. After attending rural school in Gregory County, Terry graduated from Gregory High School in 1962.

Although he enlisted in the Marines prior to graduation, Terry waited until after graduation to leave for the service. He was stationed in California which is where he met and later married Ruth Gilbert on May 14, 1965. He went overseas to Vietnam in February of 1967, where according to the newspaper, “he had been wounded three times…the last time was on September 2, in the vicinity of Da Nang, at which time he was wounded in the chest.”

Just after returning to active duty after his third time wounded, Corporal Terry H. Fenenga, was killed in action on October 18, 1967, in the vicinity of Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam, “as the result of a gunshot wound sustained from hostile rifle fire while engaged in action against hostile forces.” According to the newspaper, his death occurred “while on active duty in the DMZ sector.” His parents received a telegram on Sunday, October 22, telling them of their son’s death. His body was returned to the United States and after funeral services at the Gregory Memorial Auditorium on Friday, November 3, 1967, he was buried with military honors at the IOOF Cemetery at Gregory.

At the time of his death, Corporal Terry H. Fenenga was survived by his wife, Ruth, and his parents, Clifford and Gertrude Fenenga.

I will always remember doing this research on Terry Howard Fenenga. I for one appreciate the sacrifice this man made for his country.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Brittany Kingsley, 8th Grade, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, on February 6, 2006. Information for this entry was provided by the Vietnam Veterans Bonus Application, Gregory Times Advocate, October 26, 1967, November 2, 1967, November 9, 1967, issues, and D.R. Fenenga of Iona. Profile approval by Fenenga family via D.R.