Company D, 511th PIR

February 9, 1923 - May 11, 1995 (Age 86) 

Army Serial # 36-570-669 - Rifle NCO 7745

Citations: Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, Bronze Service Arrowhead, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Overseas Service Bars, 1 Service Stripe, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge. Lapel Button Issued, ASR Score (2 Sep 45) 51. Sharp Shooter Rifle M1, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge.

About SSgt. Kenneth Morgan:

Sgt Rifle NCO (7745): Led a squad of 12 men in combat. Flew over enemy lines in transport planes, parachuted behind enemy troops and attacked enemy positions. Was armed with rifle and grenades. Had charge of a machine gun section. Fought in the Philippines with the 511th Parachute Infantry.

Graduated Butler High School in Princeton, Kentucky on May 14, 1941

Military Service Record:

• Entry Into Active Service February 12, 1943
• Pvt Infantry Basic 521 May 1943
• Pfc Rifleman 7745 August 1943
• Sgt Rifle NCO 7745 February 1944
• Completed Paratrooper School September 29, 1944
• Change of Address San Francisco November 22, 1944
• Leyte, Philippines December 9, 1944
• 511th PIR, 2nd Battalion, Company D, 11th Airborne Division Philippines January 25, 1945

Occupations:
Pre-Service: Passenger Elevator Operator
Post Service: Truck Driver (Kentucky), Railroad Worker (Detroit, Michigan), Loading Dock Operator, Sr Pump Mechanic (Retired), Marathon Oil Refinery, Detroit, Michigan

Interests: Outstanding Softball Player, Usher, Dad’s Club, St. Cecilia Church (Detroit, Michigan). Bowling, Euchre, Active Participant at VFW Posts, Competitor whenever Challenged. Medals in Senior Olympics Track Events. Traveled in a 5th Wheel Trailer Caravan of Retired Friends & Family.

Dearly Loved his Wife Peggy. Proud of all their Children: James Thomas, Barbara Ann, Diane Elizabeth, Paul William, Kenneth Wayne, Maureen Teresa, Sharon Margaret and their Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren.

D Company, 2nd Battalion, 511th PIR, likely taken on Japan	Sgt. Morgan's Change of Address card, November 1944
Kenneth and Peggy Morgan (right) with friends enjoying a favorite pasttime	Ken and Peggy Morgan with their beloved children
Kenneth Morgan portrait, possibly taken after completing Basic Training 1943	Sgt. Kenneth Morgan portrait, taken while he was assigned to Company D, 511th PIR, 11th Airborne Division. Possibly taken on Luzon or Japan.

If you would  like to learn more about Kenneth's exploits within and the history of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II, please consider purchasing a copy of the book WHEN ANGEL'S FALL: FROM TOCCOA TO TOKYO, THE 511TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT IN WORLD WAR II, available in the regimental online store, on Amazon or wherever military history books are sold.