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Kenneth M. Lien
Radioman,
Third Class, United States
Coast Guard Kennebec,
SD USA
Killed in Action in the North Sea
Kenneth M. Lien was born June 15, 1917,
to Marcus and Anne Lien in Kennebec, SD. Kenneth had
three brothers: Clarence,
Clifford, and Russell.
Kenneth
entered the service November 7, 1941, at Omaha, NE. He trained at Ft. Lewis, Washington, until his
departure overseas on
September 7, 1942.
Kenneth was
killed in action September 10, 1943, in the North Atlantic Sea near Greenland. He is memorialized in the "Tablets of the Missing at
East Coast Memorial" located in, New York City.
He
was awarded the Purple
Heart "for military merit and for wounds received in
action resulting in
his death," October 12,
1944. Kenneth also received the American Legion Gold
Star Citation November
2, 1943. His relatives received
a letter signed by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt, which stated,
"He stands
in the unbroken line of
patriots who have dared to die that freedom might
live, and grow, and
increase its blessings. Freedom lives,
and through it, he lives in
a way that humbles the
undertakings of most
men."
This
entry is respectfully submitted
by Bethany Vesely, a junior
at Lyman High School, Presho,
SD, April 1, 2002.
Information for this entry was provided by Jan and Richard
lien of Kennebec, relatives
of the late Kenneth M.
Lien.
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