Marion “David” Jennings

1950-2023

Dave was born July 4, 1950 on Independence Day- he went onto his eternal life July 22, 2023. He was laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery August 11, 2023.

In his own words, David was a poor little country boy from Lemitar, New Mexico. In 1970, Dave enlisted in the Navy before he was drafted as his number was coming up. He enlisted in Albuquerque New Mexico at 18 years old, rounding up about six of his friends from Socorro who all enlisted together.

Dave was flown after boot camp to Puerto Rico where he was stationed for a bit when they informed him, “Jennings, you are a-going to Vietnam.”

Dave served our country proudly honorably and without hesitation for 23 years.

He gave a helping hand to the downtrodden every chance he got, and wore his military cap daily and proudly, always acknowledging all his military brothers and welcoming each of them home every chance he got. Dave was a proud SeaBee sailor.

The SeaBees motto is “Can Do” and “We Build & We Fight”!

Dave, “you did & you built & you fought!”

Dave’s titles were SeaBee, Sailor, Lifer, Retired and Chief.

The medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded to him:

Five Sea service deployment ribbons; National Defense service medals; medal with bronze star; Vietnam service medal with two bronze stars; Vietnam campaign medal; two meritorious unit commendations; Vietnam meritorious commendation gallantry cross; Vietnam meritorious unit commendation, civil action; Navy “E” ribbon; Good conduct medal 5 for the period ending Jan. 31, 1992; Rifle expert, M16A1; Navy achievement medal.

Dave was stationed and deployed in several countries and in the United States, including Diego Garcia, Rota, Spain, Vietnam, Italy, Japan, Puerto Rico, Gulfport, Mississippi, California, and Florida, and others.

Dave leaves behind his fiancée, Gloria Grice Richardson, in his own words, his high school sweetheart, the girl of his dreams, his dream come true.

From Gloria: “To me and our country, Dave was a hero and my sailor! He will be forever missed and never forgotten. May his Soul rest in peace.

“We bid you fair winds and a following sea
“May God hold you in the palm of His hand for all eternity.
“You are forever loved.”

El Defensor Chieftain