BIO
Kenneth Alvin Lechner was born 30 July 1917, at Canton, South Dakota, in Lincoln County, to William G. and Bertha Marie (Stenger) Lechner. Siblings are Dorothy Avis, Ruth Eleanor, Richard Arthur, and William Gustav, Jr. Attended Hunt Grade School; graduated Central High, Sioux City, June 1936. Came to Sioux City as a child.
Inducted 21 April 1942, Fort Crook, Nebraska. Trained Enid Army Flying School, Enid, Oklahoma. Served with the 580th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion attached to the Seventh Air Force. Served as a radio operator. Then departed U.S., 7 June 1943, arriving eight days later in Hawaii. Also served with the Battalion Postal Section in Hawaii.
Arrived stateside, 17 June 1945. Discharged 10 August 1945, AAF Convalescent Hospital, Fort Logan, Colorado. Received Certificate of Disability when discharged.
Entitled to wear Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal, and overseas bars.
Married Dorothy Phyllis Erickson, 23 August 1945, Beresford, Union County, South Dakota, at the Roseni Lutheran Church. Two children were born to this marriage, Gary Kenneth and Barbara Phyllis.
Kenneth bowled during the service. Afterwards, was very involved with Cub and Boy Scouts. Was presented with the Lamb Award, the highest Boy Scout Leadership honor in the Lutheran Church, for outstanding service to scout work. He served as chairman of the Protestant Church awards for the Sgt. Floyd Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.
He was employed with his father’s firm, Lechner Lumber Company, in Sioux City, and was an officer in the corporation. Was a member of the VFW Post 580 in Sioux City.
Kenneth died 12 October 1998, in Sioux City and was buried in Memorial Park cemetery with military rites.
Submitted by his wife, Dorothy Lechner
