World War II Honoree

H. Kenneth Cooper

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Toledo, Ohio

Honored By

Hamilton A. Cooper

Relationship

Son

COLONEL. ENTERED FEDERAL SERVICE WITH THE 37TH DIVISION, OHIO NATIONAL GUARD IN OCTOBER 1940. SERVED AT CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI AND INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, INITIALLY AS COMMANDER OF THE 136TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT, AND THEN FROM 1942 TO 1945 AS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE 37TH DIVISION ARTILLERY. IN APRIL 1942, HE LED THE DIVISION'S ADVANCE PARTY TO THE PACIFIC THEATER IN THE FIJI ISLANDS. THEN PARTICIPATED IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGNS ON GUADALCANAL, NEW GEORGIA AND BOUGAINVILLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, LANDED AT LINGAYEN GULF ON LUZON IN JANUARY 1945 WITH THE 37TH DIVISION AND PARTICIPATED IN THE DRIVE TO MANILA, ON TO BAGUIO AND THE CAGAYAN VALLEY IN NORTHERN LUZON. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION AT FORT STOTSENBURG DURING THE DRIVE TO MANILA. ALSO RECEIVED THREE BRONZE STARS, THREE AWARDS OF THE LEGION OF MERIT, AND THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS SUSTAINED IN NORTHERN LUZON. RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN DECEMBER 1945. RETIRED IN 1960 AS THE COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE 37TH DIVISION, AFTER FORTY-ONE YEARS OF SERVICE.