Cap.Zenni

ASSOCIATION OF PATRIOTIC ARAB AMERICANS IN MILITARY
"Patriotic Arab Americans Making a Difference"

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Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Captain Zenni enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1940. After recruit training he served in the Battleship Maryland and at the Naval Academy Prep School, Norfolk, VA. Upon graduation from the Academy, he served chronologically in USS Massey (DD 778), USS Rush (DD714) Naval Air Training, Corpus Christi, TX, and Pensacola, FL, USS PCS (1386) USS Wheatear (AM 390) USS Roberts (DD823) Naval Salvage and Diving School, Bayonne, NJ, USS Mender (ARS02) Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C., USS Luiseno (ATF 156), Officer Candidate School, Newport, RI, USS DeHaven (DD757), USS McMorris (DE 1036), Aide to Commandant, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, USS Moale (DD693). Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C., Commanding Officer of Escort Squadron Six, US Naval War College, Newport, RI, USS Portland (LSD37), Naval War College Staff, Commanding Officer Service Squadron 2 and Commander Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. Captain Zenni retired in 1977.

Captain Zenni commanded two large squadrons and four ships (two as the Commissioning Commanding Officer) during his career. Awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and six Area Campaign Medals. He was a distinguished graduate from the Naval War College senior course in 1970.

After the Navy, Captain Zenni served as Squad Assistant to the Mayor of Fall River, MA and then as the Executive Director of the Fall River Housing Authority, retiring again in 1989.

Civil Pursuits included: Board Member National Girl Scouts, United Way, Boys and Girls Scouts, Fall River Country Club. He was also Chairman of the Police Board and the Port Development Committee of Fall River. He was also Secretary of the American Arabic Association, Washington , D.C. and an officer of the Lebanese American Veterans and American Lebanese Society, Fall River for many years. Captain Zenni is also a long time member of the Advisory Board of Saint Anne’s Hospital and Corporator of the Citizen’s Union Savings Bank.

Captain Zenni is married to Margaret (Peggy Simon) Zenni who is also of American Arab (Lebanese) parentage, and they are blessed with two boys and 4 grandchildren.