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9 Kenneth England

Name
Kenneth England
Position
Guard
Class
Junior
Hometown (Last School)
Campbellsburg, KY
Ht
6'1"
Wt
180
Seasons
1940-41, 1941-42
Birthday
December 16, 1921

Kenneth England was born Kenneth Haynes England on December 16, 1921, in Campbellsburg, Kentucky to Gilbert H. England and Betsy Dohoney England.  His father was the principal of Campbellsburg high school in Henry County.

While at Kentucky, where he received a degree of bachelor of science in agriculture, England was a member of Alpha Zeta, agriculture honorary; Block and Bridle, animal husbandry honorary; Alpha Magna Mater, the K-Club; the Poultry Club; the Dairy Club; Omicron Delta Kappa, men’s honorary leadership fraternity; Lamp and Cross, senior men’s honorary.

England was one of the outstanding basketball players at Kentucky and was popular with students and fans alike. He played on the varsity from 1940-42 as a regular.  The 1941-42 Wildcat squad won the Southeastern Conference tournament, defeating Alabama 36-34 in a thrilling game that was featured by the play of King and England. The Wildcats, led by two, put on a smashing drive which withered the onslaught of the Bama quintet. In that game, England got four field goals and five free throws for a total of 13 points.

The team went to the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament and in their first game whipped the great Illinois team of that season 46-44, but lost the second game to Dartmouth, 47-28.

England graduated with a bachelor of science in agriculture.  England was commissioned a second lieutenant on graduation and immediately called to active duty on May 29, 1942. He entered service on May 30, 1942, at Fort Benning, Georgia.  He served at camps in Georgia until the fall of 1943 when he was transferred to the Ski Troops at Camp Hale, Colorado.

England commanded Company M of the 85th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division during the war, the only ski troop in America. In December of 1944, he left for duty in Italy. He led the division in taking Mt. Belvedere from the Nazis, for which he won the Bronze Star. In the final campaign in Italy, he died of wounds received while crossing a minefield on April 14, 1945. Besides the Bronze Star, he had been awarded the Silver Star. An athletic field in Italy was named England Field and dedicated in the summer of 1945.  England was the third member of the 1941-42 SEC championship team to be killed in action.

Under the provisions of Army Regulation 600-45, as amended, the Silver Star Medal was awarded posthumously to England:

KENNETH H. ENGLAND, 0449400, Captain, Infantry, 85th Mountain Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action on 14 April 1945, near Castel d’Aiano, Italy. In the initial assault of the final offensive in Italy, captain ENGLAND commanded a company of heavy weapons. Though his normal position was with the battalion commander, he risked his life to personally lead his men forward to insure close support of rifle companies. Although the area was heavily mined and under constant artillery, mortar and small arms fire, he pressed forward at the head of his unit until he was fatally wounded by an exploding mine. Without thought for himself, he directed that someone take the morphine syrettes he carried to administer comfort to other of his men who were wounded. His gallant leadership and courage under fire, far beyond the call of his regular duties, will always be an inspiration to all who witnessed his heroic actions, and Captain ENGLAND has earned undying fame in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Army. Entered the military service from Campbellsburg, Kentucky. Next of kin: Mr. G.H. England, father, Campbellsburg, Kentucky.

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