Bernard Fenton grew up in Taunton, Massachusetts, where he attended Saint Mary’s High School. He then attended Holy Cross College in Worchester and, following study at Saint Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, New York, he was ordained a Catholic priest on May 26, 1934. He served Corpus Christi Church in Falmouth, Massachusetts, and then Saint Paul’s Church in Taunton, before entering military service in 1942. He was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain, serving in World War II where he earned a Silver Star with the 36th Infantry Division, and in Korea with the 45th Infantry Division in 1953. Returning to the United States in 1954, he became deputy chaplain of the Continental Army Command at Fort Monroe, Georgia, and in 1956 attended the Army War College. He was Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon in 1957, and in 1963 was assigned to the Army Combat Development Command. He retired from military service in 1967. He was elevated to monsignor in 1969.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (Chaplain)Action Date:
July 1957 – October 1963
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 3 (January 28, 1964)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Chaplain) Bernard J. Fenton, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1957 to October 1963.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
141st Infantry RegimentDivision:
36th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 68 (1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Bernard Joseph Fenton, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Chaplain with the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.