Donald Ray Pennington – Chief Master Sergeant, United States Air Force

From a contemporary press report:

HARPERS FERRY, West Virginia. – Donald Ray Pennington, 64, of Blue Ridge Acres, Harpers Ferry, died Friday, January 31, 1997, at the Veterans Medical Center in Baltimore.

Born July 11, 1932, in Carroll County, Virginia, he was the son of Mamie Sharp Pennington, of Jefferson, North Carolina, and the late Avery Pennington.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Scrutton Pennington, on November 21, 1992.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, he served from 1952-1980, retiring with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.

He received a number of commendations, including the Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal with Eight Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Campaign Medal.

He was a member of Camp Springs Lodge 227, A.F.&A.M. of Camp Springs, Maryland., and Jefferson County Memorial Post 3522 of the VFW of Charles Town, West Virginia.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by five daughters, Beverly Campbell of Winter Springs, Fla., Sharon Pennington, Carolyn Williams, and Elaine Schrift, all of Harpers Ferry, and Donna Adams of Glen Burnie, Md.; one son, Steven Pennington of Deale, Md.; two sisters, Mary Wyatt of Jefferson, N.C., and Grace Teaster of Charlotte, N.C.; two brothers, Robert Pennington and Earl Pennington, both of Jefferson, Md.; and 11
grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother Howard Pennington.

Services with full military honors will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. An Air Force Chaplain from Arlington National Cemetery will officiate. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Brunswick Midget Football Team, Blue Ridge Acres, Box 55, Harpers Ferry, W.Va. 25425.

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