Kenneth A. Kraft was the son of Anthony John Kraft and Arbie M. Kraft. Kraft graduated from Seymour High School in Seymour, Wisconsin, in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps that November.
After training at Camp Elliot and Camp Gillespie, San Diego, California, he graduated as a First Marine Paratrooper in March 1943 and was assigned to Company C, First Marine Parachute Regiment. He was shipped to New Caledonia for further training then went on to combat at Vella La Vella and again at Bouganville, an Island in the Solomon Islands that was being held by the Japanese. After being wounded and a brief furlough he returned to his platoon. By the end of November, the Commandant of the Marine Corps ordered that all Marine paratrooper units be disbanded and augmented into existing or new units. The Paramarines never made a combat jump in the war. Many of these men ended up in the newly formed 5th Marine Division. Kraft was assigned to the 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. His next combat would be in one of the toughest battles of the World War II, the Battle of Iwo Jima island. Held by the Japanese, it was critical for the US forces to take the airfields on the island to provide a staging area for attacks on Japan. There were almost 7,000 U.S. marines killed and another 20,000 wounded in that battle. The American Flag was raised on Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi, on February 23, 1945 the day after Kraft was killed in battle, and just 5 days after the battle began.
"CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman in a platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, 26th Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcanic Islands, 22 February, 1945. Alert and aggressive, Private First Class
Kraft spotted a wounded comrade in front of the platoon's lines at a critical period of action when the enemies blanketing mortar and artillery barrage was inflicting severe casualties on his unit. Quick to act, he voluntarily crawled approximately 30 feet to the wounded Marine and, braving the savage fury of Japanese fire, carried his comrade to a shell hole were he promptly administered first aid. Returning to his platoon, he organized a rescue party and subsequently assisted in evacuating the Marine, thereby saving the life of the wounded man. Although mortally wounded by a burst of machine-gun fire later in the day, Private First Class Kraft, by his dauntless initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous opposition, had rendered valiant service and hi conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President, James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy".
Kraft left behind brothers Lloyd and Vilas Kraft, and a sister Gladys (Mrs. Thomas Reed) Kraft. Vilas Kraft served in the Navy during the war. Arbie Kraft was Gold Star mother due to her son's combat death.
At the time of his death Kraft was married to his high school sweetheart, Mrs. Kenneth A. (Spoude) Kraft. She was living with her father Earl Spoude, Rt. 1, Seymour, Wisconsin.
On June 17, 2017, he American Legion rededicated it's Post Hall to the name Krause-Kraft-Mueller Legion Post 106.
Private First Class Kenneth A. Kraft, Sn# , earned the following decorations and badges for his service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II:
- Silver Paratrooper Wings
- Navy and Marie Presidential Unit Citation
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Silver Star Medal
- Purple Heart Medal with Gold Star denoting second award
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Marine Corps Expert Rifleman's Badge
After training at Camp Elliot and Camp Gillespie, San Diego, California, he graduated as a First Marine Paratrooper in March 1943 and was assigned to Company C, First Marine Parachute Regiment. He was shipped to New Caledonia for further training then went on to combat at Vella La Vella and again at Bouganville, an Island in the Solomon Islands that was being held by the Japanese. After being wounded and a brief furlough he returned to his platoon. By the end of November, the Commandant of the Marine Corps ordered that all Marine paratrooper units be disbanded and augmented into existing or new units. The Paramarines never made a combat jump in the war. Many of these men ended up in the newly formed 5th Marine Division. Kraft was assigned to the 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. His next combat would be in one of the toughest battles of the World War II, the Battle of Iwo Jima island. Held by the Japanese, it was critical for the US forces to take the airfields on the island to provide a staging area for attacks on Japan. There were almost 7,000 U.S. marines killed and another 20,000 wounded in that battle. The American Flag was raised on Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi, on February 23, 1945 the day after Kraft was killed in battle, and just 5 days after the battle began.
"CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman in a platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, 26th Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcanic Islands, 22 February, 1945. Alert and aggressive, Private First Class
Kraft spotted a wounded comrade in front of the platoon's lines at a critical period of action when the enemies blanketing mortar and artillery barrage was inflicting severe casualties on his unit. Quick to act, he voluntarily crawled approximately 30 feet to the wounded Marine and, braving the savage fury of Japanese fire, carried his comrade to a shell hole were he promptly administered first aid. Returning to his platoon, he organized a rescue party and subsequently assisted in evacuating the Marine, thereby saving the life of the wounded man. Although mortally wounded by a burst of machine-gun fire later in the day, Private First Class Kraft, by his dauntless initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous opposition, had rendered valiant service and hi conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President, James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy".
Kraft left behind brothers Lloyd and Vilas Kraft, and a sister Gladys (Mrs. Thomas Reed) Kraft. Vilas Kraft served in the Navy during the war. Arbie Kraft was Gold Star mother due to her son's combat death.
At the time of his death Kraft was married to his high school sweetheart, Mrs. Kenneth A. (Spoude) Kraft. She was living with her father Earl Spoude, Rt. 1, Seymour, Wisconsin.
On June 17, 2017, he American Legion rededicated it's Post Hall to the name Krause-Kraft-Mueller Legion Post 106.
Private First Class Kenneth A. Kraft, Sn# , earned the following decorations and badges for his service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II:
- Silver Paratrooper Wings
- Navy and Marie Presidential Unit Citation
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Silver Star Medal
- Purple Heart Medal with Gold Star denoting second award
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Marine Corps Expert Rifleman's Badge
Kenneth A. Kraft was the son of Anthony John Kraft and Arbie M. Kraft. Kraft graduated from Seymour High School in Seymour, Wisconsin, in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps that November.
After training at Camp Elliot and Camp Gillespie, San Diego, California, he graduated as a First Marine Paratrooper in March 1943 and was assigned to Company C, First Marine Parachute Regiment. He was shipped to New Caledonia for further training then went on to combat at Vella La Vella and again at Bouganville, an Island in the Solomon Islands that was being held by the Japanese. After being wounded and a brief furlough he returned to his platoon. By the end of November, the Commandant of the Marine Corps ordered that all Marine paratrooper units be disbanded and augmented into existing or new units. The Paramarines never made a combat jump in the war. Many of these men ended up in the newly formed 5th Marine Division. Kraft was assigned to the 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. His next combat would be in one of the toughest battles of the World War II, the Battle of Iwo Jima island. Held by the Japanese, it was critical for the US forces to take the airfields on the island to provide a staging area for attacks on Japan. There were almost 7,000 U.S. marines killed and another 20,000 wounded in that battle. The American Flag was raised on Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi, on February 23, 1945 the day after Kraft was killed in battle, and just 5 days after the battle began.
"CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman in a platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, 26th Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcanic Islands, 22 February, 1945. Alert and aggressive, Private First Class
Kraft spotted a wounded comrade in front of the platoon's lines at a critical period of action when the enemies blanketing mortar and artillery barrage was inflicting severe casualties on his unit. Quick to act, he voluntarily crawled approximately 30 feet to the wounded Marine and, braving the savage fury of Japanese fire, carried his comrade to a shell hole were he promptly administered first aid. Returning to his platoon, he organized a rescue party and subsequently assisted in evacuating the Marine, thereby saving the life of the wounded man. Although mortally wounded by a burst of machine-gun fire later in the day, Private First Class Kraft, by his dauntless initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous opposition, had rendered valiant service and hi conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President, James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy".
Kraft left behind brothers Lloyd and Vilas Kraft, and a sister Gladys (Mrs. Thomas Reed) Kraft. Vilas Kraft served in the Navy during the war. Arbie Kraft was Gold Star mother due to her son's combat death.
At the time of his death Kraft was married to his high school sweetheart, Mrs. Kenneth A. (Spoude) Kraft. She was living with her father Earl Spoude, Rt. 1, Seymour, Wisconsin.
On June 17, 2017, he American Legion rededicated it's Post Hall to the name Krause-Kraft-Mueller Legion Post 106.
Private First Class Kenneth A. Kraft, Sn# , earned the following decorations and badges for his service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II:
- Silver Paratrooper Wings
- Navy and Marie Presidential Unit Citation
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Silver Star Medal
- Purple Heart Medal with Gold Star denoting second award
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Marine Corps Expert Rifleman's Badge
After training at Camp Elliot and Camp Gillespie, San Diego, California, he graduated as a First Marine Paratrooper in March 1943 and was assigned to Company C, First Marine Parachute Regiment. He was shipped to New Caledonia for further training then went on to combat at Vella La Vella and again at Bouganville, an Island in the Solomon Islands that was being held by the Japanese. After being wounded and a brief furlough he returned to his platoon. By the end of November, the Commandant of the Marine Corps ordered that all Marine paratrooper units be disbanded and augmented into existing or new units. The Paramarines never made a combat jump in the war. Many of these men ended up in the newly formed 5th Marine Division. Kraft was assigned to the 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. His next combat would be in one of the toughest battles of the World War II, the Battle of Iwo Jima island. Held by the Japanese, it was critical for the US forces to take the airfields on the island to provide a staging area for attacks on Japan. There were almost 7,000 U.S. marines killed and another 20,000 wounded in that battle. The American Flag was raised on Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi, on February 23, 1945 the day after Kraft was killed in battle, and just 5 days after the battle began.
"CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman in a platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, 26th Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcanic Islands, 22 February, 1945. Alert and aggressive, Private First Class
Kraft spotted a wounded comrade in front of the platoon's lines at a critical period of action when the enemies blanketing mortar and artillery barrage was inflicting severe casualties on his unit. Quick to act, he voluntarily crawled approximately 30 feet to the wounded Marine and, braving the savage fury of Japanese fire, carried his comrade to a shell hole were he promptly administered first aid. Returning to his platoon, he organized a rescue party and subsequently assisted in evacuating the Marine, thereby saving the life of the wounded man. Although mortally wounded by a burst of machine-gun fire later in the day, Private First Class Kraft, by his dauntless initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous opposition, had rendered valiant service and hi conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
For the President, James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy".
Kraft left behind brothers Lloyd and Vilas Kraft, and a sister Gladys (Mrs. Thomas Reed) Kraft. Vilas Kraft served in the Navy during the war. Arbie Kraft was Gold Star mother due to her son's combat death.
At the time of his death Kraft was married to his high school sweetheart, Mrs. Kenneth A. (Spoude) Kraft. She was living with her father Earl Spoude, Rt. 1, Seymour, Wisconsin.
On June 17, 2017, he American Legion rededicated it's Post Hall to the name Krause-Kraft-Mueller Legion Post 106.
Private First Class Kenneth A. Kraft, Sn# , earned the following decorations and badges for his service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II:
- Silver Paratrooper Wings
- Navy and Marie Presidential Unit Citation
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Silver Star Medal
- Purple Heart Medal with Gold Star denoting second award
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze battle/campaign stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Marine Corps Expert Rifleman's Badge
Gravesite Details
At mother's request, PFC Kraft's body was returned to the United States in 1949 and was buried with his father on 5-21-1949
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