SSgt Kenneth Reed Biography

Staff Sergeant Kenneth T. Reed

World War II

US Army
Company B. 61st Armored Infantry Regiment, 10th Armored Division.
Service Number:
Born: Jan 21, 1925, Nebraska
Inducted: April 12, 1943
Died of wounds March 1, 1945 in Luxembourg.
Buried: Sheridan Cemetery, Auburn, Nebraska.

Silver Star, Purple Heart

Husband of Mrs. Jewell Etter Reed of Otis. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Reed of Auburn, Nebraska.

Sheridan Cemetery, Auburn

VA Marker placed in Thomas Reed Plot.
SSgt Reed VA Marker

William Reed family stone (erected later) across the cemetery.
SSgt Reed second marker

March 15, 1945 The Nemaha County Herald

S-Sgt. K. Reed Died As Result of Wounds
Death Occurred March 1 in Luxembourg Area

Staff Sergeant Kenneth T. Reed, 20, son of Chief Petty Officer and Mrs. William A. Reed, died March 1 in Luxembourg, as the result of wounds received in action, according to a telegram received here Sunday evening from Adj. Gen. J.A. Ulio.

"Kenny," as he was so well known by his wide circle of friends, was a member of the Third army, Company B of the armored infantry battalion. He was the holder of the Silver Star medal, which was awarded to him for "gallantry in action in Tettingen, Germany, Nov. 22, 1944, when, without regard for himself he crept over open ground, 100 yards beyond the line established by his platoon and rescued a wounded officer, who was in immediate danger of being killed by enemy gunfire." This act, as his friends will all know, was characteristic of Kenny, unassuming and unpretentious in his acts, but always thinking of the other fellow and his welfare.

He was the son of William A. and Leona M. Reed, born in Nemaha county Jan 21, 1925. He attended the grade school and later the high school and graduated with the class of 1942. While attending high school he took an active part in athletics. He was a member of the high school athletic teams in both football and basketball. He was a member of the football team that won the southeastern Nebraska conference. He took an active part in dramatics and held the lead in the senior class play.

He was a member of the Christian church, where he took a prominent part in the young people's work. He was a member of the Auburn DeMolay order.

Upon completing his high school course, from which he graduated with high honors, he entered the University of Nebraska, attending there until he entered the service of the United States army, which occurred April 12, 1943. He was first selected for specialized work in the airborne division, but was later transferred to an armored infantry unit.

In the summer of 1944 he was married to Miss Jewell Etter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.H. Etter of Otis, Colo. Mrs. Reed is in a hospital suffering from a fractured back as the result of an accident that occurred when she was enroute to her home from the school where she was teaching.

In August of 1944, Staff Sgt. Reed was sent to his post of embarkation and went overseas with his unit to take his place with the American forces in western Europe. He has been in service with the American forces on all of the major moves in this battle area that have been carried out by the Third army.

Staff Sergeant Reed is survived by his wife, his parents, Chief Petty Officer W.A. and Mrs. Reed. Mr. Reed is with the U.S. Seabees unit in California; his sister, Mrs. Dudley B. Swift, Omaha, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Reed, Auburn, and John Roby, Read Oak, Ia.

Thursday March 22, 1945 The Akron News-Reporter

Word was received on March 11 that SSgt Kenneth Reed had died on March 1, in Luxembourg from wounds received while in action.

Mrs. Reed, who suffered serious injuries in a car accident on February 13, has not been told of her husband's death. She is convalescing at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Etter, but is in a cast and confined to her bed.

SSgt and Mrs. Reed were married on July 12, while she was visiting camp at Camp Gordon, Georgia. SSgt Reed was sent across on August 14, where he has distinguished himself on the battle field, having received a Silver Star for bravery in rescuing a wounded officer, while under fire.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Reed of Auburn, Nebraska.

April 1949 The Nemaha County Herald

OBITAURY S. Sgt. Kenneth Reed

Staff Sergeant Kenneth T. Reed, son of William A. and Leona M. Reed, was born in this county, Jan. 21, 1925 and died in an American hospital in Luxembourg, Mar. 1, 1945, following wounds received in action in the European theatre of operations.

He attended the public schools, later the high school, graduating with the class of 1942. He was a member of the high school athletic teams, both basketball and football. He was active in dramatics and had the lead in the senior class play.

A member of the Christian church of this city, he took and active part in the young people's work. He was a member of the Auburn DeMolay chapter.

After graduating from high school with honors, he entered the University of Nebraska, attending there until he entered the armed forces Apr. 12, 1943. He was first selected for the airborne service, but was later transferred to the armored infantry unit.

In the summer of 1944 he as united in marriage to Miss Jewell Etter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Etter, Otis, Colo.

In August of 1944, S. Sgt. Reed left the United States for western Europe, where he saw active service in the battle areas with the Third army. He was awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry, and received other meritorious honors.

He is survived by his wife, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Reed, a sister, Mrs. Dudley B. Swift, Omaha, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Reed, Auburn.

Services were held at the Christian church Sunday, April 17, at 2:30 p.m., with Rev. Ottis Platt officiating. Miss Margaret Ritchie and Dennis Roher sang accompanied by Mrs. Ivan Erisman.

Pallbearers were Wilber Brown Jr., Carl Glen Jr., Richard Hutton, Meno Wilhelms Jr., Richard Ely and Marshall Lutgen. Those in charge of the flowers were Miss Darlene Bright and Mrs. Meno Wilhelms.

Military rites were held at Sheridan cemetery, with May and Timm funeral home in charge of arrangements.

Notes: The Nemaha County Herald articles and the photographs were contributed by Dennis Norvell of Auburn, Nebraska. Thanks Dennis!