The only thing I know, for sure, is that he spent four years at the Naval Academy and three months as an Ensign, before he was killed. Considering his ethnicity, it is probably safe to say that there were aspects of life as a midshipman which were more difficult for him than for the young men with no amount of African ancestry. The tribute to him from the 1958 issue of "The Lucky Bag" said little about any difficulties, though.
What I know, for sure, is young Ensign Fennell's Naval career did not get his name into any history book or articles. He wasn't decorated with impressive medals, for valor. He never commanded a ship that took Marines to the shores of Vietnam, or to Beirut, in 1982. He didn't get that chance, because, tragically, he passed away just 3-4 months after he graduated.
Hopefully, those few months held some joy for him. I would like to know more about the brief, but obviously impressive, life of the young man.
Darillyn Lamb Starr
Proud daughter of Col. A. W. Lamb, USMC (Ret).
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