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name
SMITH, Kenneth D - Date of
birth
30 September 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Sudan, Lamb County, Texas -
Hometown
San Diego County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39285112 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
2nd Infantry Regiment,
5th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
12 April 1945 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| L | 16 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Allen F. Smith (father)
Sylvia M. Smith (mother)
Everest A. Smith (brother)
Oleta S. Smith (sister)
Alan F. Smith (brother)
Irene E. Smith (sister)
Richard L. Smith (brother)
More information
Pfc Kenneth D. Smith enlisted in Los Angeles, California on 23 February 1943.When the 5th was ordered to move a hundred miles northward to join the III Corps of the First Army to assist in reducing what became known as "The Ruhr Pocket", three trapped German divisions who were working their way back to Germany for the defense of the Homeland. The 5th attacked the center of the "pocket" until all resistance ceased. What was left of the enemy in the area can be described as complete devastation they had also been attacked by the Allied Air Forces.
He was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Margraten Plot MM, Row 2, Grave 37.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Jolanda van Wezel