Ken enlisted in the Navy on August 13, 1941, serving during World War II on the USS Barnett as a carpenters mate. Ken received his boot training at Great Lakes, Illinois. His petty officer rating came the hard way -through active combat service- as he did not attend a navy service school. He served in both oceans and saw special action at Guadalcanal, Sicily and Italy. Ken was with the first forces to set troops ashore in the French invasion. His ship, the Barnett, is recorded as having escorted the first wave of small assault boats which set troops ashore in the D-Day invasion. He survived a suicide bombing and was honorably discharged on September 22, 1945 as a Carpenters Mate First Class. Ken received an Honorable Discharge Button, Honorable Discharge Emblem and Honorable Service Lapel Button. USS BARNETT (APA-5) received seven battle stars for World War II service.
