Beaverton Historical Society Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
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Kenneth Grove
SGT. KENNETH GROVE KILLED IN VIETNAM
Sgt. Kenneth A. Grove, of Gladwin, became the county's fourth victim of the war in Vietnam.
The 22 year old soldier was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Basil Grove of 905 W. Chatterton Street.
He was reported killed in action on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Details surrounding his death are not
known yet; except that he was apparently pursuing a member of the enemy forces when he was shot.
Sgt. Grove was a member of the 4th Military Police Co., 4th Inf. Div. stationed in Vietnam. His
parents were notified by telegram Saturday of his death and an Army officer stopped Sunday at
their home.
The young soldier was supposed to have completed his tour of duty in Vietnam around the end of
January, his parents said. He was looking forward to returning home and buying a new car, they
added. Persons who knew Kenneth when he worked in the Western Auto Store for three years in high
school and from his association with their children in school were shocked and saddened when word
of his death spread. Many mentioned that he was a good boy and always had a ready smile. Besides his
parents, he is survived by two sisters, Carol Ann and Paula Kay. He was born in September 2, 1947,
in Gladwin.
Following graduation in 1965, he attended Michigan State University for a year. Kenneth worked at
Robinson Industries for a short time and then at Saginaw Steering Gear for a year and a half before
entering the Army on March 6, 1968. He received his basic training at Ft. Knox, Ky. and then took nine
weeks of Military Police training at Ft. Gordon, Ga. Following four months at Ft. Lee, Va., he left the
United States for Vietnam on January 28 Ken received the Army Commendation Medal on May 8, for
exceptionally meritorious achievement in the Republick of Vietnam in connection with military operations
against an armed hostile force. He was also chosen as 4th Infantry Division Soldier of The Week which
earned him the honor of serving as enlisted aide to Major General Dean R. Pepke, commanding general 4th
Inf. Div., during the week of May 11 to 17.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. His body is expected to arrive in Gladwin in about a week and
will be at the Miner-Mathews Funeral Home. Escorted him home will be his cousin, Sgt. Danny Grove, a son
of Mr. and Mrs. Holland Grove, of Gladwin. The family asks that no flowers be sent. A memorial fund will
be established for the Free Methodist Church Building Fund.
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Personal Information
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Death Date
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Burial/Final Location
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Service
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11/04/1969
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Highland Cemetery, Gladwin, MI
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MI Sgt. 4 MP. BN. 4 Inf. Div. Bsm. Arcom. L Vietnam
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Publication Information
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Pub. Date
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Publication
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Pub. Page
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11/12/1969
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Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
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P:1 C:5
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Transcription Information
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Date
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Transcribed by
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Source Media
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January 2005
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Tom Ladner
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Microfilm
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