Sgt. Matthew J. Fenton
Hometown: Little Ferry, New Jersey, U.S. Age: 24 years old Died: May 5, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Unit: Marines, Marine Forces Reserves Inspector and Instructor Staff, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Fort Devens, Mass. |
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Birth: Jan. 17, 1982, USA
Death: May 6, 2006 Bethesda Montgomery County Maryland, USA Sgt. Fenton of Little Ferry, N.J., always wanted to be a Marine and joined the Corps shortly after graduating from Ridgefield Park High School. Matt loved the spotlight and often joked that he was the center of the universe. He was a tough guy with a big heart, puckish humor and the gift of gab who always seemed to be living in the moment. He is survived by his loving mother Diane, father John, sister Courtney, grandmother Harriet Vagts, aunt and Godmother, Allison Valentin, Godson Brandon Valentin, uncles; David and Drew Vagts, Jim and Noel Fenton, aunts; Aimee and Liz, cousins; Joshua and Jen, Drew, Taylor, Will, Ali, Tierney, Taryn, Augie, Erik, Kaitlyn, Kelli, Nick, Shea and Aimee, his girlfriend Andrea Patino and his special family, the Kanes. He died at National Naval Medical Center from wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq on April 26. He was 24. Marines Reserve's Inspector Instructor Staff 1st Battalion 25th Marine Regiment 4th Marine Division Fort Devens, Mass Burial: Cremated |
Sgt. Matthew J. Fenton with his sister, Courtney, in 2005.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2011 CONTACT: Aaron Keyak office: (202) 225-5061 cell: (202) 905-6361 aaron.keyak@mail.house.gov Washington, DC – On July 29, 2011, a bill (H.R. 789) to honor the late Marine Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton, introduced by Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ), passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote. The entire New Jersey Congressional delegation joined Congressman Rothman as cosponsors of H.R. 789. This bill will rename the post office in Little Ferry, NJ in honor of the memory of Marine Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton, who was a resident of Little Ferry and died in the Iraq war. “Marine Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton is a true American hero and represents the best of our county,” said Congressman Rothman. “It is a humbling privilege for me to play a small part in honoring Marine Sergeant Fenton by naming the post office in his home town of Little Ferry, NJ, the ‘Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton Post Office.’ This post office will stand as a testament to his bravery and sacrifice.” At 24 years of age, Marine Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It happened during his service in Iraq’s Al Anbar province in 2006. Marine Sergeant Fenton was struck by shrapnel after alerting his comrades to the presence of a suicide bomber. All of them escaped harm except for Marine Sergeant Fenton. He passed away nine days later at the national naval medical center in Bethesda, Maryland – a day after receiving a purple heart for his selfless bravery.
