Wesley Pennewell Tribute

Wes Pennewell served as an infantry man and tunnel rat during the Vietnam War. He would crawl into a hole in the ground with nothing but a hand grenade, flashlight and .45 caliber pistol in his hands. Then a young Marine, Wes never knew what he’d encounter in those dark and confined spaces, or whether he’d survive. But that did not stop him from volunteering to do it over and over again.

Such selflessness was a lifelong trait for the Santa Rosa man, who died in his sleep  March 6th at the home he shared with his wife of 23 years.  He was 61.

Wes, who was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, was receiving full medical disability retirement from the Veterans Administration. According to Wes he had a 200 percent disability rating. He was a  staunch veterans rights advocate. Despite suffering from four different forms of cancer for over nearly two decades, he was a tireless contributor to an array of charitable causes."He was the hardest-working volunteer I'd ever seen in my life," said Steve Bosshard, the commandant of the Santa Rosa Detachment of the Marine Corps League. "He was an amazing man and a funny son of a gun."

Wes was born on Dec. 29, 1946 in Battle Creek, Neb. He was 14 when his family migrated west to Santa Rosa. He later told his wife Carol that he had never seen so many paved roads in his life.      Wes graduated from Montgomery High School in 1964 and when he was 18 he left Santa Rosa Junior College to enlist in the Marines in January 1965. After Boot Camp, ITR and additional training he was assigned to A 1/7 and sent overseas in 1965. His jobs included infantry, anti-tank gunner and tunnel rat in regions in I Corps. He was awarded a Bronze Star with a Combat V in early 1966.

After his first tour of duty ended in late 1966, Wes was stationed at Camp Margarita area 33 in Camp Pendleton. One night while serving as sergeant of the guard he was dispatched to a riot at the area slopchute. As he arrived to quell the disturbance a Marine came running out of the slopchute wielding a long 2X4 and struck Wes, splitting his head open. Wes shot him in self defense. As was policy, Wes and the attacker were both transferred out of their units: the attacker to the hospital and subsequent criminal proceedings, and Wes to 27 th Marines. Wes had learned a thing or two on his previous deployment and served as the Regimental Sgt for the Regimental CO. However, as luck would have it, the 27 th was deployed to Vietnam after the Tet offense of 1968. That is how Wes got almost two full tours in Nam in less than four years.

After his honorable discharge, Wes returned to Santa Rosa, returned to Santa Rosa Junior College and became president of the student body. He worked as a printer, home repairman, recycler and graphic artist.He volunteered for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Marine Corps League, Devil Dogs, Masons, Shrines, Odd Fellows, 4th Marine Div Assoc, 5 th Marine Division Assoc. and Clampers.

Wes was most proud of his service and membership with the Marine Corps League. He was not just a joiner but definitely a “doer”. Wes held many positions at both the local and State level. He was at one time or another the Jr. Vice, Sr. Vice,  Adjutant,  Paymaster, and Commandant of Santa Rosa Detachment #686., He also served as the Department of California State Commandant after going through the chairs at that level. He was a tireless worker and always made improvements in the units “on his watch”.

Wes was a PDD Devil Dog and a master of outlandish outfits. He was both the Pound leader of Pound #257 at the local level and the Pack leader for the State of California from 2001-2003.

Wes was the administrator of the US Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots program until struck down by his latest illness. He prided himself on helping over 8,500 hundred needy children each year. He would even make home deliveries in emergency conditions on Christmas Eve or Day. He had a heart the size of the whole outdoors when it came to children.

Besides his wife, Carol, Wes is survived by his brother Charles (another Marine), his sisters Carol Pickett, Barbara Wong, Jean Taylor, Joan Pennewell-Manger and his foster sister Gidget Slyker. His stepchildren, Jennifer, Sabin, Nathan and Camille Bedser.

Wes was one of the hardest working people you could know. He was the embodiment of “Once and Marine, always a Marine”.  His love for his brother and sister Marines and their families was unquestionable. Wes will be missed by a legion of friends, colleagues and recipients of all his good will. Wes may be gone but he will never be forgotten.

A “Celebration of Wes’ life” will be held at Eggan and Lance Chapel  1540 Mendocino Av, Santa Rosa, Ca, on Thursday, March 13 th,2008 at 1400 hours.