MSgt in US Army. KIA at the beginning of the Korean War. He was wounded 14 Jul 1950 and was likely killed on that same day. His status was officially declared on 27 Sep 1950.
************
Monterey, Calif.
Dec 7, 1941
Dear Mother & family:
I will take a few moments on this momentous day and write a few long delayed lines. As I write this the radio is giving forth with innumerable war bulletins. It is a messy business especially at time when as the books and songs say "Peace on earth; Goodwill toward men." This Christmas will indeed be one gigantic lie for the families of those poor fellows who gave their all for their country today. For what purpose only the God that has forgotten us knows. My fervent wish and hope is that none of mine will ever be involved in this foolish business. You may not like this, Mother, but here it is. I was commissioned at the order of the President a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery Reserve on Oct 18. My orders for active duty should be forthcoming immediately. I expect to be in uniform before Christmas. Mary doesn't realize the seriousness of the situation, and I will not disillusion her before it becomes necessary for me to do my bit for my country.
Mary is giving you another grand-child in the early part of March so you see unnecessary worry will be avoided. I have been bunged up the past week. Fell and broke a rib. Doc took the tape off just yesterday. Sonny has tonsillitis. Large swollen tonsils, but they don't seem to bother him. Sissy has a bad dose of meanness, and poor Jackie is skinny as ever. Just like a beanpole.
I wish you would give Phyllis my congratulations and a kick in the pants. Didn't know when she was well off. I must favor her and husband with a letter. Tell everyone hello and best wishes.
I am still working and will continue as work is plentiful. I've over done myself for one letter, so for now good-bye.
Love to all
Kenneth & family
************
14 August 1952
Dear Mrs. Zahner,
I received your letter of August 4th yesterday, and the information I'm about to give in regards to Sgt Stokes disappearance I hope will be helpful and give some condolence to you and your family. I will start from the beginning on that day and give you the facts, as I know them.
At 2 p.m. our battalion came under direct attack of the North Koreans. Your brother and I were standing together behind a Korean, but firing back at the North Koreans, when your brother was hit. At that time a Jeep from our battery was heading toward the rear with two other wounded soldiers. The medics jumped off the Jeep and came to Sergeant Stokes, and due to the nature of Sergeant Stokes's wound, it was deemed necessary to get him to an Army Dr.
We placed Sergeant Stokes and a Sergeant Roberts who was also wounded on a three-quarter ton truck, driven by Corporal Smith and guarded by Corporal Galey. Due to the confusion and uncertainty of any engagement, we couldn't foresee how futile it was for any vehicle to get through. The truck pulled out, and that was the last we ever saw of any of them.
After being run out of our position and regrouping outside of Taejon, I talked to some men from A Battery, who were to our rear and closer to the road, about the fate of the truck that Sergeant Stokes was on and also two Jeeps that tried to run the road block, which was set up to the rear of the battery, and from what I could gather, none of the vehicles got through. Out of ten soldiers that were on those three vehicles, only one came out, and he was brought out by some members of A Battery.
That is all the information I have concerning your brother. If I can be of any future assistance, please feel free to write to me.
Sincerely,
MSgt Charles E Rambo
R.A. 13007974
B Co. 4th Bn TRTC
Fort Eustis, VA
************
Daryl Zahner wrote:
When Uncle Kenneth was declared as missing in action, my mother became obsessed with tracking his steps up until the time of his disappearance. Countless letter exchanges with returning soldiers from Korea finally produced an answer. A soldier claiming to know my uncle sent my mother a photo clipping from an issue of 'Life Magazine.' His accompanying letter went on to explain that the soldier next to the familiar face of Uncle Kenneth in the photograph was himself. The picture showed a number of wounded soldiers sitting in the back of a truck. The letter writer went on to explain that within an hour after the photograph was taken, the truck evacuating the men to the rear was hit by a mortar shell. The writer survived. Uncle Kenneth did not.
************
However, another source claims:
Master Sergeant Stokes was a member of the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy along the Kum River, South Korea on July 14, 1950 and was killed by a guard on September 27, 1950.
************
Monterey, Calif.
Dec 7, 1941
Dear Mother & family:
I will take a few moments on this momentous day and write a few long delayed lines. As I write this the radio is giving forth with innumerable war bulletins. It is a messy business especially at time when as the books and songs say "Peace on earth; Goodwill toward men." This Christmas will indeed be one gigantic lie for the families of those poor fellows who gave their all for their country today. For what purpose only the God that has forgotten us knows. My fervent wish and hope is that none of mine will ever be involved in this foolish business. You may not like this, Mother, but here it is. I was commissioned at the order of the President a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery Reserve on Oct 18. My orders for active duty should be forthcoming immediately. I expect to be in uniform before Christmas. Mary doesn't realize the seriousness of the situation, and I will not disillusion her before it becomes necessary for me to do my bit for my country.
Mary is giving you another grand-child in the early part of March so you see unnecessary worry will be avoided. I have been bunged up the past week. Fell and broke a rib. Doc took the tape off just yesterday. Sonny has tonsillitis. Large swollen tonsils, but they don't seem to bother him. Sissy has a bad dose of meanness, and poor Jackie is skinny as ever. Just like a beanpole.
I wish you would give Phyllis my congratulations and a kick in the pants. Didn't know when she was well off. I must favor her and husband with a letter. Tell everyone hello and best wishes.
I am still working and will continue as work is plentiful. I've over done myself for one letter, so for now good-bye.
Love to all
Kenneth & family
************
14 August 1952
Dear Mrs. Zahner,
I received your letter of August 4th yesterday, and the information I'm about to give in regards to Sgt Stokes disappearance I hope will be helpful and give some condolence to you and your family. I will start from the beginning on that day and give you the facts, as I know them.
At 2 p.m. our battalion came under direct attack of the North Koreans. Your brother and I were standing together behind a Korean, but firing back at the North Koreans, when your brother was hit. At that time a Jeep from our battery was heading toward the rear with two other wounded soldiers. The medics jumped off the Jeep and came to Sergeant Stokes, and due to the nature of Sergeant Stokes's wound, it was deemed necessary to get him to an Army Dr.
We placed Sergeant Stokes and a Sergeant Roberts who was also wounded on a three-quarter ton truck, driven by Corporal Smith and guarded by Corporal Galey. Due to the confusion and uncertainty of any engagement, we couldn't foresee how futile it was for any vehicle to get through. The truck pulled out, and that was the last we ever saw of any of them.
After being run out of our position and regrouping outside of Taejon, I talked to some men from A Battery, who were to our rear and closer to the road, about the fate of the truck that Sergeant Stokes was on and also two Jeeps that tried to run the road block, which was set up to the rear of the battery, and from what I could gather, none of the vehicles got through. Out of ten soldiers that were on those three vehicles, only one came out, and he was brought out by some members of A Battery.
That is all the information I have concerning your brother. If I can be of any future assistance, please feel free to write to me.
Sincerely,
MSgt Charles E Rambo
R.A. 13007974
B Co. 4th Bn TRTC
Fort Eustis, VA
************
Daryl Zahner wrote:
When Uncle Kenneth was declared as missing in action, my mother became obsessed with tracking his steps up until the time of his disappearance. Countless letter exchanges with returning soldiers from Korea finally produced an answer. A soldier claiming to know my uncle sent my mother a photo clipping from an issue of 'Life Magazine.' His accompanying letter went on to explain that the soldier next to the familiar face of Uncle Kenneth in the photograph was himself. The picture showed a number of wounded soldiers sitting in the back of a truck. The letter writer went on to explain that within an hour after the photograph was taken, the truck evacuating the men to the rear was hit by a mortar shell. The writer survived. Uncle Kenneth did not.
************
However, another source claims:
Master Sergeant Stokes was a member of the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy along the Kum River, South Korea on July 14, 1950 and was killed by a guard on September 27, 1950.
MSgt in US Army. KIA at the beginning of the Korean War. He was wounded 14 Jul 1950 and was likely killed on that same day. His status was officially declared on 27 Sep 1950.
************
Monterey, Calif.
Dec 7, 1941
Dear Mother & family:
I will take a few moments on this momentous day and write a few long delayed lines. As I write this the radio is giving forth with innumerable war bulletins. It is a messy business especially at time when as the books and songs say "Peace on earth; Goodwill toward men." This Christmas will indeed be one gigantic lie for the families of those poor fellows who gave their all for their country today. For what purpose only the God that has forgotten us knows. My fervent wish and hope is that none of mine will ever be involved in this foolish business. You may not like this, Mother, but here it is. I was commissioned at the order of the President a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery Reserve on Oct 18. My orders for active duty should be forthcoming immediately. I expect to be in uniform before Christmas. Mary doesn't realize the seriousness of the situation, and I will not disillusion her before it becomes necessary for me to do my bit for my country.
Mary is giving you another grand-child in the early part of March so you see unnecessary worry will be avoided. I have been bunged up the past week. Fell and broke a rib. Doc took the tape off just yesterday. Sonny has tonsillitis. Large swollen tonsils, but they don't seem to bother him. Sissy has a bad dose of meanness, and poor Jackie is skinny as ever. Just like a beanpole.
I wish you would give Phyllis my congratulations and a kick in the pants. Didn't know when she was well off. I must favor her and husband with a letter. Tell everyone hello and best wishes.
I am still working and will continue as work is plentiful. I've over done myself for one letter, so for now good-bye.
Love to all
Kenneth & family
************
14 August 1952
Dear Mrs. Zahner,
I received your letter of August 4th yesterday, and the information I'm about to give in regards to Sgt Stokes disappearance I hope will be helpful and give some condolence to you and your family. I will start from the beginning on that day and give you the facts, as I know them.
At 2 p.m. our battalion came under direct attack of the North Koreans. Your brother and I were standing together behind a Korean, but firing back at the North Koreans, when your brother was hit. At that time a Jeep from our battery was heading toward the rear with two other wounded soldiers. The medics jumped off the Jeep and came to Sergeant Stokes, and due to the nature of Sergeant Stokes's wound, it was deemed necessary to get him to an Army Dr.
We placed Sergeant Stokes and a Sergeant Roberts who was also wounded on a three-quarter ton truck, driven by Corporal Smith and guarded by Corporal Galey. Due to the confusion and uncertainty of any engagement, we couldn't foresee how futile it was for any vehicle to get through. The truck pulled out, and that was the last we ever saw of any of them.
After being run out of our position and regrouping outside of Taejon, I talked to some men from A Battery, who were to our rear and closer to the road, about the fate of the truck that Sergeant Stokes was on and also two Jeeps that tried to run the road block, which was set up to the rear of the battery, and from what I could gather, none of the vehicles got through. Out of ten soldiers that were on those three vehicles, only one came out, and he was brought out by some members of A Battery.
That is all the information I have concerning your brother. If I can be of any future assistance, please feel free to write to me.
Sincerely,
MSgt Charles E Rambo
R.A. 13007974
B Co. 4th Bn TRTC
Fort Eustis, VA
************
Daryl Zahner wrote:
When Uncle Kenneth was declared as missing in action, my mother became obsessed with tracking his steps up until the time of his disappearance. Countless letter exchanges with returning soldiers from Korea finally produced an answer. A soldier claiming to know my uncle sent my mother a photo clipping from an issue of 'Life Magazine.' His accompanying letter went on to explain that the soldier next to the familiar face of Uncle Kenneth in the photograph was himself. The picture showed a number of wounded soldiers sitting in the back of a truck. The letter writer went on to explain that within an hour after the photograph was taken, the truck evacuating the men to the rear was hit by a mortar shell. The writer survived. Uncle Kenneth did not.
************
However, another source claims:
Master Sergeant Stokes was a member of the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy along the Kum River, South Korea on July 14, 1950 and was killed by a guard on September 27, 1950.
************
Monterey, Calif.
Dec 7, 1941
Dear Mother & family:
I will take a few moments on this momentous day and write a few long delayed lines. As I write this the radio is giving forth with innumerable war bulletins. It is a messy business especially at time when as the books and songs say "Peace on earth; Goodwill toward men." This Christmas will indeed be one gigantic lie for the families of those poor fellows who gave their all for their country today. For what purpose only the God that has forgotten us knows. My fervent wish and hope is that none of mine will ever be involved in this foolish business. You may not like this, Mother, but here it is. I was commissioned at the order of the President a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery Reserve on Oct 18. My orders for active duty should be forthcoming immediately. I expect to be in uniform before Christmas. Mary doesn't realize the seriousness of the situation, and I will not disillusion her before it becomes necessary for me to do my bit for my country.
Mary is giving you another grand-child in the early part of March so you see unnecessary worry will be avoided. I have been bunged up the past week. Fell and broke a rib. Doc took the tape off just yesterday. Sonny has tonsillitis. Large swollen tonsils, but they don't seem to bother him. Sissy has a bad dose of meanness, and poor Jackie is skinny as ever. Just like a beanpole.
I wish you would give Phyllis my congratulations and a kick in the pants. Didn't know when she was well off. I must favor her and husband with a letter. Tell everyone hello and best wishes.
I am still working and will continue as work is plentiful. I've over done myself for one letter, so for now good-bye.
Love to all
Kenneth & family
************
14 August 1952
Dear Mrs. Zahner,
I received your letter of August 4th yesterday, and the information I'm about to give in regards to Sgt Stokes disappearance I hope will be helpful and give some condolence to you and your family. I will start from the beginning on that day and give you the facts, as I know them.
At 2 p.m. our battalion came under direct attack of the North Koreans. Your brother and I were standing together behind a Korean, but firing back at the North Koreans, when your brother was hit. At that time a Jeep from our battery was heading toward the rear with two other wounded soldiers. The medics jumped off the Jeep and came to Sergeant Stokes, and due to the nature of Sergeant Stokes's wound, it was deemed necessary to get him to an Army Dr.
We placed Sergeant Stokes and a Sergeant Roberts who was also wounded on a three-quarter ton truck, driven by Corporal Smith and guarded by Corporal Galey. Due to the confusion and uncertainty of any engagement, we couldn't foresee how futile it was for any vehicle to get through. The truck pulled out, and that was the last we ever saw of any of them.
After being run out of our position and regrouping outside of Taejon, I talked to some men from A Battery, who were to our rear and closer to the road, about the fate of the truck that Sergeant Stokes was on and also two Jeeps that tried to run the road block, which was set up to the rear of the battery, and from what I could gather, none of the vehicles got through. Out of ten soldiers that were on those three vehicles, only one came out, and he was brought out by some members of A Battery.
That is all the information I have concerning your brother. If I can be of any future assistance, please feel free to write to me.
Sincerely,
MSgt Charles E Rambo
R.A. 13007974
B Co. 4th Bn TRTC
Fort Eustis, VA
************
Daryl Zahner wrote:
When Uncle Kenneth was declared as missing in action, my mother became obsessed with tracking his steps up until the time of his disappearance. Countless letter exchanges with returning soldiers from Korea finally produced an answer. A soldier claiming to know my uncle sent my mother a photo clipping from an issue of 'Life Magazine.' His accompanying letter went on to explain that the soldier next to the familiar face of Uncle Kenneth in the photograph was himself. The picture showed a number of wounded soldiers sitting in the back of a truck. The letter writer went on to explain that within an hour after the photograph was taken, the truck evacuating the men to the rear was hit by a mortar shell. The writer survived. Uncle Kenneth did not.
************
However, another source claims:
Master Sergeant Stokes was a member of the 63rd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy along the Kum River, South Korea on July 14, 1950 and was killed by a guard on September 27, 1950.
Inscription
Kenneth Henry Stokes
Idaho
M Sgt Artillery
World War II Korea PH
July 9 1914 - Sept 27 1950
Family Members
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