Kenneth Stephen
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Kenneth Stephen served in World War II in the South Pacific. He served in the U.S. Navy from May 11, 1945, until July 29, 1946.
He was part of the 91st and 63rd Construction Brigades (SeaBees). His rank was Seaman 1st Class. He served in the motor pool for each of the construction brigades.
After the war, Mr. Stephen joined the Naval Reserve for four years.
Mr. Stephen was born in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1927, the son of Martin and Marie Stephen. He left high school to join the Navy.
When he returned to Duluth after the war, he went back to school and graduated the following spring.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
"Upon finishing the 11th grade in high school, and the war was on, I decided to join the Navy. That is if my father will sign for me; I was only 17 years old. We discussed the pros and cons of the service, and he let me join up.
On May 11, 1945, I was inducted into the Navy, sent to Great Lakes [Naval Training Station] for training and then on to Rhode Island and to California and from there to a place unknown. I finally landed in the Philippine Islands.
I served in the motor pool until the war was over. I was lucky: there was not any other action where I was. I was sent back to the States and on July 29, 1946, I was discharged.
I then joined the Naval Reserve for four years.
In the fall of 1946 I went back to [high] school and graduated from Denfeld High in the spring of 1947.
