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Thomas Paul Fenush
Corporal
HHC, 1ST BN, 506TH INFANTRY, 101ST ABN DIV, USARV Army of the United States Grassflat, Pennsylvania September 15, 1948 to July 11, 1969 THOMAS P FENUSH is on the Wall at Panel W21, Line 99 |
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REMEMBERED"Doc" Fenush was our most experienced medic. He died in the assault on Hill 996. Doc, you were the best of the best. I remember the day you had a small field bag sent out on a log ship for me. You prepared it for me and yes it did make it a lot easier to just ground the big bag with my rucksack and move fast with the field bag. I remember sitting on a hill side, you and me and The Sunkist Kid, looking down into the valley and just talking. I told you about how scary it was for me to move around while people were shooting at me and things exploding around me. You just grined and said that you were scared too, but from the time you hear "medic", you just start doing it and only think of what you have to do. You said just keep your mind on what you have to do and let the 11 Bravo's worry about the rest. Your experience helped me a lot, Doc. I remember the first time I tried to order a resupply from the rear aid station at Evans. I had trouble trying to talk using shackles. You just grinned and took the horn and did it so easily. You were the best. Doc, I've never, after all these years, forgotten that day in June when you and I agreed to a three way change. Maybe I shouldn't have let you do that, but if HHC didn't mind it seemed OK. It sounded like a good idea, didn't it? I should have told you that you wouldn't be able to think for yourself any more about when or how. Doc, I couldn't see into the future. I didn't know how bad things would get. The odd thing is, when my platoon came under such heavy fire, I thought for a split second that I wished we hadn't traded places. The fire was so intense that I knew I wasn't going to make it through this, not knowing it was worse for you. Doc Perez and I waited, thinking you would make it into the NDP that night, but you didn't and neither did Doc Motley. Doc, you were the Medic amoung medics. The VERY BEST. I remember your last words to me when we knelt down beside each other as we were passing. I said, we need some arty on that hill and you said " don't mean nothin' " and told me I'd better move up. I want you to know that Sgt. Hudnell and Doc Light took it real hard when they heard about you. Sgt. Hudnell told me that you had already done your time on line and volunteered to stay in the field because we were short on medics all around.
I'll never forget you. |
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Every day the sun rises slowly over the eastern edge of the Memorial and shines gently upon the name of Thomas Fenush. On December 1990 I was fortunate to touch base with your parents to let them know that you were a true hero. It meant a lot to them. A donation was made in your memory to the 101st Airborne Division Memorial Stone at Florida National Cemetery (Bushnell, Florida), dedicated on December 12th, 1992. On November 2nd 1997 I met your baby brother and had the opportunity to explain to him your camaraderie, not just to me, but all who came in contact with you. Rest In Peace, Brother, your memories shall forever be etched in my soul.
Paul "Doc" Greaux |
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Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam. |
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