Sgt Kenneth E. Metcalf

326th Co.

My father, Kenneth E. Metcalf, served in the 326th at the time of his discharge.  Like many others who experienced difficult times during the war, he never spoke of his service and we only discovered his contribution via old friends and my grandparents, as well as my mother.  He was badly wounded in Belgium and listed as MIA for several weeks.  I cannot tell you which battle Father was wounded, only that it was in Belgium and he once expressed gratitude to a group of Fanciscan Nuns who helped to find him and others on the field.  I still display his Purple Heart on his flag, which stands in our study.

Another soldier was Rural Coode, of Cherokee Tribal descent, who we used to visit often in Weber Falls, OK, when I was a child.  This soldier passed away several years prior to my father's passing.  Another good friend was Edward (Eddie) Highman.  They were lifelong friends who entered together and were employed in the same machine shop until retirement.  Mr. Highman was a master sgt. in the Ohio Guard until retirement.  He also passed before my father.

 

After doing some research on my own units when I served ('67 - '69), I began a search to fill in those years that were missing in our family history.  I am sorry to inform you that my father passed away on January 16, 2001.  He was a lifelong resident of Ashland, Ohio.

 

We are very proud of his service, as we are with all who served during those dark days in our world's history.  We are also proud that his inspiration has continued to serve through myself (6th Cav, 33rd Armor, 11th Cav 1967 - 1969), my son (2nd Cav 1971 -1973), and my grandson who has just joined the Marines.

 

David Metcalf

dmetcalf@sc.rr.com

October 2009