Kenneth served as a Specialist 5th Class (SP5) in the U.S. Army.

Born in Browning, MO on February 21, 1943 and a resident of Marceline, he entered the Army in November 1963.

He was killed in action on February 29, 1968, in Quang Nam, Vietnam. He is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall (Panel 42E, Line 5) as “KENNETH R STEPHENSON”.

He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, USARV. His tour started December 1, 1967 as a Medical Specialist.

He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

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Kenneth Stephenson killed in war, first Marceline death in Vietnam

Sp/5 Kenneth Stephenson, son of Mrs. Frances Stephenson, was killed in combat in Vietnam February 29.

He is the first serviceman from this area to be killed in the Vietnam war.

Stephenson enlisted in the Army in November 1963, served three-and-one-half years in Germany, returned and re-enlisted in June 1966 for six more years. He planned an Army career.

He arrived in Vietnam December 9, 1967.

He is survived by his mother; one sister, Mrs. Ruth Shatto and three brothers all of this city, Bill, Raymond, and J.D.; and another brother James living in Chillicothe; several aunts and uncles.

from the The Marceline Press – March 7, 1968

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