KENNETH KOENIG, 26, FORMERLY OF LE MARS, DIES IN ENEMY CAMP
LeMars, Ia.—Special: Kenneth Oliver Koenig, 26, machinist’s mate first class and son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Koenig, formerly of LeMars, died May 21, in a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines, according to word received through the Red Cross by his parents at Pacific Beach, Cal.
Although only meager details were available, his parents believed that he died of wounds or exposure during his imprisonment, relatives reported.
Koenig had been in Asiatic service since 1937 and saw action in waters of China and the Philippines. After enlistment in 1936 at the age of 19, he received training at the Great Lakes naval training station and later at San Pedro, Cal.
Born on a farm near Merrill, Ia., May 3, 1917, he attended school at Merrill, and in LeMars after he moved here in 1934 with his parents.
Surviving are the parents; two brothers, Arthur of San Diego, Cal., and Carol D. Koenig of LeMars; and three sisters, Mrs. Walter Scott of Sioux City, Mrs. Roger Eyres of LeMars and Marjorie of Pacific Beach.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, June 11, 1943
***Further Research:
Kenneth Oliver Koenig was born May 3, 1917 to Arthur L. and Catherine Melinda “Cassie” Harvey Koenig. He died Jan. 5, 1942 and is buried in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Taguig City, Philippines.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
