Obit: Haas, Kenneth Daniel (1946 - 1967)

Contact: Lisa Winner Haas

Email: lwinner2@verizon.net

Surnames: Haas, Kyle, LaMarche

----Source: Lisa Haas Scrapbook

 Haas, Kenneth Daniel (15 JUL 1946 - 5 AUG 1967)

Kenneth, the son of Melburn J. Haas and Bernice L. Haas of Stanley WI entered service (Selective Service) in the US Marine Corps on March 2, 1966 in Minneapolis MN. He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.

In the early morning hours the Golden Gate Bridge which crosses the Ai Nghia River located on the south side of Hill 55 in Dien Ban District was attacked by an estimated platoon of VC using automatic weapons and B-40 RPG's against the Marine security OPCON (Operational Control) of the 3d Battalion defending the bridge. Both the north and south defensive positions were attacked and the bunkers closest to the perimeter wire were destroyed by satchel charges placed by sappers killing two marines that were in the bunkers. The Marines fought back the enemy assault with M-60 machine-gun fire, M-79 grenades and small arms, forcing the VC to break off the attack and withdraw. Marine casualties were two dead; one man evacuated who died of wounds and seventeen men with minor wounds. Four M-16 rifles were missing and couldn't be found, a search of the area revealed enemy explosives that were left in the retreat which would have been used to damage the bridge.

One of the casualties was LCpl Haas who was killed in action as a result of multiple fragmentation wounds from a hostile grenade.

Stanley Man KIA in Viet

Lance Corporal Kenneth Daniel Haas, age 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melburn Haas, Route 1, Stanley, was killed in action by a sniper at Qua Nang Province, Vietnam, on Saturday, August 5, according to word received by his parents from the War Department. His father is a member of the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors. Kenneth was born in Stanley, Wis., July 15, 1946, and was graduated from the Stanley High School with the Class of 1965. After high school, he was employed in Waukesha for a short time and then with the Stanley Company in Stanley. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in the spring of 1966.

Surviving are his parents; seven brothers, Roger of Chicago; Keith, River Falls; Gale, Terrence, Ronald, Patrick, and Michael, all at home; two sisters, Mrs. Robert (Judith) Kyle, Ellsworth, Wis., and Pamela, at home; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Haas, Route 3, Stanley; and his maternal grandparents, Mrs. And Mrs. Henry LaMarche, route 2, Stanley.

Funeral services are pending the arrival of the remains from Vietnam. The Plombon Funeral Home, Stanley, is in charge of arrangements.

Lance Corporal Kenneth Haas, a machine gunner, was killed in action by a sniper at Qua Nang Province, Vietnam, at age 21. He enlisted in the Marines spring of 1966. Buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Stanley, WI.

Kenneth Daniel Haas Lance Corporal

PERSONAL DATA

Home of Record: Stanley, WI

Date of birth:  07/15/1946

MILITARY DATA

Service:      United States Marine Corps

Grade at loss:  E3

Rank:        Lance Corporal

ID No:       2192475

MOS:        0331: MACHINE GUNNER

Length Service: 01

Unit:        D CO, 1ST BN, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF

CASUALTY DATA

Start Tour:

Incident Date:  08/05/1967

Casualty Date:  08/05/1967

Age at Loss:   21

Location:     Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam

Remains:      Body recovered

Casualty Type:  Hostile, died outright

Casualty Reason: Ground casualty

Casualty Detail: Other explosive device

URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dh/HaasKD01a.htm

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