134th Infantry Regiment Website
"All Hell Can't Stop Us"
|
|
134th Infantry Regiment Website"All Hell Can't Stop Us" |
|
Kenneth Lamar Gaines was born June 18, 1925 in Macon, Georgia. He registered for the draft on his 18th birthday, June 18, 1943, and was inducted into the Army August 25, 1943. He joined Company B, 320th Infantry Regiment as a Rifleman from the 41st Replacement Battalion July 13, 1944 when the unit was in the vicinity of St Lo, France. He was wounded in action by shell fragments southeast of St Lo July 28, 1944 and returned to duty January 12, 1945 when the unit was in the vicinity of Lutrebois, Belgium. He was promoted to Sergeant February 7, 1945 and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, Silver Star Medal, and the Distinguished Service Cross for heroic action in March and April 1945. He was assigned to Fort McPherson, Georgia for rest and recreation on May 6 and discharged from the Army September 27, 1945.
Sergeant Gaines reenlisted in the Army February 19, 1946 and fought in the Korean War. He was seriously wounded in action August 30, 1950 and was medically discharged from the Army February 29, 1952 at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He passed away November 5, 2008 at age 83 and is buried at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Duluth, Georgia.
|
Distinguished Service Cross |
|
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Kenneth Lamar Gaines (ASN: 34826664), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 and 10 April 1945. Sergeant Gaines voluntarily led a night reconnaissance patrol behind the enemy lines and secured valuable information. During an attack the following morning, Sergeant Gaines led his squad in an assault against an enemy emplacement which so surprised the enemy that the four occupants surrendered without any resistance. Later, on his own initiative, Sergeant Gaines moved his squad around a road block and led a running assault on an enemy-held building from the rear, killing and capturing twelve of the enemy. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 35th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, NINTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 221 (1945) |
|
Silver Star Medal |
|
Sergeant Kenneth L Gaines, 34826664, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action near * * * Germany on 8 March 1945. When members of his platoon lay in an open field prevented from advancing by enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant Gaines, an assistant squad leader, ran to a ditch, crawled to within fifteen yards of the enemy emplacement, threw a hand grenade, then charged the position, firing his sub-machine gun as he moved forward. He killed the enemy machine gunner and wounded other members of the crew. Sergeant Gaines’ intrepid action made it possible for his unit to continue its advance and capture the village of * * * , with minimum casualties. Entered military service from Georgia. Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 23, 30 March 1945 |
 Bronze Star Medal |
|
Sergeant Kenneth L Gaines, 34826664, Infantry, United States Army, for heroic
service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United
States near * * * , Holland on 3 March 1945. After part of the city of * * * had
been occupied, Sergeant Gaines led a night patrol into enemy territory. The
group encountered six Germans, and after a fierce fire fight, four of the enemy
were killed and wounded. The patrol then located and destroyed an enemy 120mm
mortar, deceiving the enemy by concentrating fire on one point while one of the
patrol members crept near the position to hurl a grenade into it. The
resourceful leadership reflects credit upon his character as a soldier. Entered
service from Georgia. Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 23, 30 March 1945 |
