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This Person is Your...

This Person is Your...

This Military Service Page was created/owned by Eileen Aleshire-Frerking-Family to remember Aleshire, Kenneth Edward, SP 4.

If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.

Home Town Philadelphia, PA	Last Address Philadelphia, PA

Casualty Date Feb 27, 1968
Cause Hostile, Died	Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
Location Gia Dinh	Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Lawnview Cemetery - Rockledge, Pennsylvania	Wall/Plot Coordinates 41E 047

Jack Newell: Jackson97@comcast.net: "In his short life, he brought much joy to many people." Aleshire's parents said. Their son had been an outstanding baseball player since his days in the Olney Midget Baseball League, and dreamed of making the major leagues. Nicknamed "The Kid", he was a star pitcher on Olney High School teams in the mid-1960s. Aleshire turned down an athletic scholarship to Temple University, playing instead for Jenkintown in the Penndel League after graduating from Olney. He had caught the eye of several major league scouts, and arranged to be drafted earlier so he could complete his military obligation and get on with a baseball career. Aleshire was inducted into the Army in April 1967 and shipped out to Vietnam the following September to join Company C of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. The specialist four, a rifleman, was killed on February 27, 1968, nine days after his 20th birthday, when his combat unit came under heavy fire near Saigon. Aleshire twice drew fire upon himself to allow other men in his unit to seek cover. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. A memorial fund established in his memory has resulted in many boys attending a Christian athlete's camp. The fund now helps endow athletic organizations. Aleshire was survived by his parents and two brothers. He was fron N.Front Street, in the Olney section of Philadelphia. Source: Philadelphia Daily News

Robert Addlesberger, robertaddlesberger@comcast.net, High school friend, 166 Brookdale Lane Harleysville PA 19438: High School Friend: As I pause to remember during this Memorial Day weekend, 2007, I remember my friend Kenny from Olney High School. Popular and liked by all, admired for his baseball aspirations. My one-day wife worked with Ken's Mom at Temple University. She recalls the day the notification team arrived. I remember learing of his death in Viet Name while I was stationed in Germany. I remember it seeming surreal that Kenny was gone; the ultimate & supreme sacrifice for us, and our country. Never forgotten, always honored. May 26, 2007

The Philadelphia Inquirer - October 14, 1968:
Posted for: KENNETH EDWARD ALESHIRE:
	General Will Honor Olney Victim of War The Bronze Star with first Oak Leaf Cluster and the Silver Star will be awarded posthumously at 2 P.M. Tuesday at Temple University's West Geasey Field, Norris st. near 15th, to Sp/4 Kenneth E. Aleshire. Brig. Gen. William M. Mantz, commander of the Defense Personnel Support Center, will present the medals to Aleshire's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Aleshire, of 5408 N. Front st. A varsity pitcher on the Olney High School baseball team, Aleshire, 20, pitched for Jenkintown in Penndel League after graduation in 1966. He was killed in Vietnam action February 27, 1968. Aleshire distinguished himself December 20, 1967 during an enemy mortar barrage when he and comrades advanced under intense fire and killed eight enemy soldiers near their perimeter line. The Silver Star was awarded the young soldier for drawing enemy fire on himself during an enemy attack and aiding the men with him to find concealment. He was killed in this action.
Posted by: Jim McIlhenney Email: christianamacks@comcast.net Relationship: Native Philadelphian & VietVet Tuesday, February 15, 2005