Dennis FENTON

Born in Baile an Chótagh (Ballincota), West Kerry, Dennis Fenton emigrated to the United States in April 1906, arriving in Boston. He initially worked there in a leather factory but enlisted in the Army at Fort Slocum, New York on 18 February 1908. He did his basic training at Fort Logan Roots in Little Rock, Arkansas and was then shipped to the Philippines, where he was based at Camp Jossman from 5 September 1911. He later served in the 18th Infantry at Fort William McKinley just south of Manila. Fenton developed his rifle skills in the Philippines where his bases had excellent ranges. He also served briefly in China. During World War I Fenton was transferred back to the States where he was stationed in Arizona and trained recruits.

In 1920 Fenton was a First Sergeant with the 35th Infantry of the US Army in Washington, DC, when he was chosen for the US Olympic shooting team. He had become a naturalized US citizen on 22 June 1918. At the Antwerp Olympics Fenton won three gold medals in team shooting events and a bronze in the individual small-bore rifle contest. He returned to the Olympics in 1924 at Paris, winning his fifth Olympic medal, a bronze in the running deer, single shot, team event. After his Olympic appearances, Fenton remained in the Army as a career soldier, eventually reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. He retired from the Army on 31 October 1937 while stationed in Michigan.