This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SGT David O Olsen
to remember
Messenger, Kenneth Edward, CW2.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Wantagh
Last Address 3362 Demott Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793
Casualty Date May 05, 1968
Cause KIA-Died of Wounds
Reason Artillery, Rocket, Mortar
Location Kien Hoa (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Long Island National Cemetery (VA) - Farmingdale, New York
Wall/Plot Coordinates 55E 023/Section T, Site 1846
Kindred Spirits
Posted on 5/27/18 - by George Fretz tale_blazer@yahoo.com
Ken... I still miss you, buddy, even 50 years later. I'm still not totally over the shock-- "How could it happen? A short-timer with only days to go..." Your death was way more than my loss; it was your family's and your country's loss. R.I.P. brother. I hope the Lord lets us tell a few war stories when we meet again in heaven.
Remembering An American Hero
Posted on 11/27/13 - by Curt Carter ccarter02@earthlink.net
Dear CWO Kenneth Edward Messenger, sir
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter
Pilot CW2 Kenneth E. Messinger,
Ground Casualty
CW2 Messinger was an aircraft commander in UH-1Ds and was the unit SIP for the 336th AHC at Soc Trang, IV Corps. He was hit in his hootch during a night mortar attack. He was evacuated but died the next day due to head injuries. As I recall he was about 3 weeks from going home. CW2 Messinger was also the unit Intelligence Officer. I had the pleasure of working with him in flight operations as well as flying with him. He had been a Navy enlisted man, had a CFI rating and taught flying in New York, upstate I think. He had joined the Army to fly helicopters. He was a very well respected aviator. The 336th AHC May 1968 Report stated 'on the 4th, when at 0200 the airfield came under fairly heavy mortar attack. Twenty-two rounds struck the airfield, resulting in the death of CW2 Ken Messenger. CW2 Messenger was killed as the first rounds struck. The 336th lost a valuable instructor, intelligence officer and professional aviator. T-bird 5, Warrior 13, and Warrior 707 were all damaged by the incoming rounds.”
(Reported by John C. Turnbull) [Taken from vhpa.org]
Remembering our childhood and your love for flying, and my first plane ride with you. You are flying with the angels and eagles.
Posted by: Elaine Messenger Lull Email: lulledm@yahoo.com Relationship: He is my brother Wednesday, May 23, 2012
GRATEFUL CITIZEN
Thank you for your service. I am sorry you had to lose your life. You will be remembered.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Manuel Pino 2/8 Bco 1st Cav-68-69 mpjr54@msn.com
Fellow Vietnam Army Vet
336 AHC
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings, Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things. You have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung, high in the sunlit silence, hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace, where never lark, or even eagle flew, and, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God. By John G. Magee, Jr.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
We'll Sing Together Again
We sang together on TV in 1950 (Uncle Win's Bible Hour)with our Arthur Godfrey ukeleles -- "Send the Light."
Posted by: Alan Heins Email: Elevenz@optonline.net Relationship: We were close friends Thursday, February 9, 2006
I proudly served with Kenneth at the Soc Trang Army Air Field. I remember the day of his passing. I just don't forget. He is a good man, a skilled pilot, and a friend. My best to his family. "May the Eagles Soar"
Posted by: Gary Styer Email: treistyer@comcast.net Relationship: We served together Tuesday, January 27, 2004
I Salute You
I don't think that we ever spoke to each other,but I am sure that I had seen this young warrant officer many times,surely I had saluted him often,as we were neighbors.Our bunks were seperated by no more than 12 feet,some grass and a bananna tree dividing the two french built barracks.The mortar round that stole his life was the first of many.He surely never heard it,he never suffered.The impact of it blew me out of my bunk,the begining of another horrible night of man killing man.I never knew him,but he was my neighbor,and my brother in arms,another american serving with honor.I didn"t know him,I wished I had.We fought all night,the war stopped at dawn,as usual.I cried when I learned of his fate.I never knew him,but I dearly miss him and I will never forget his name.I salute you again,SIR SP/5 Marty Breyer