World War II Honoree

Kenneth Albert Guth

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

St. Louis, Missouri

Honored By

Bend Heroes Foundation

HE WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY ON JULY 7, 1943 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AFTER COMPLETING A 2 ½ MONTH ARMY SPECIALIZED ENGINEERING TRAINING PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI. HE SERVED AS A CARPENTER AND BRIDGE BUILDER WITH COMPANY C, 125TH ARMORED ENGINEER BATTALION, 14TH ARMORED DIVISION DURING THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AS A MEMBER OF A DEMOLITIONS SQUAD, HE WAS WOUNDED WHILE BREACHING THE DRAGON’S TEETH ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE NEAR STEINFELD, GERMANY ON MARCH 21, 1945. HE WAS ALSO AWARDED A BRONZE STAR FOR THAT ACTION WITHOUT THOUGHT OF PERSONAL SAFETY, MADE HIS WAY THROUGH SEVERE ENEMY FIRE TO EMPLACE HIS EXPLOSIVES. UPON COMPLETION OF THE MISSION HE AIDED IN THE EVACUATION OF WOUNDED TROOPS FROM THE TOWN. HIS AWARDS INCLUDE: PURPLE HEART MEDAL, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, 3 OVERSEAS BARS, AMERICAN THEATRE RIBBON, EUROPEAN AFRICAN MIDDLE EAST THEATRE RIBBON WITH 2 BRONZE STARS, WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HAVING COMPLETED 18 MONTHS IN COMBAT, TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE KENNETH GUTH, WAS DISCHARGED AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MO ON APRIL 21, 1946.