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Kenneth Alan Luse
Warrant Officer
B TRP, 1ST SQDN, 9TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV Army of the United States Cedar Rapids, Iowa May 15, 1950 to November 29, 1969 KENNETH A LUSE is on the Wall at Panel W15, Line 6 |
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This page was requested by Kenneth's cousin, |
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My name is Gary Alan Hall. I went through flight school (Fort Wolters and Fort Rucker) with Ken. We established a friendship almost immediately, maybe because we were both from Iowa (I'm from Ames), but Ken was just the kind of guy that was impossible not to like and admire. I have our class photo, Class 69-19 A-3 3rd WOC, in my living room and look at it often and reflect on what has happened to all of us since that photo was taken so long ago. Ken and I were close all the way through flight school. On the day we received our aviator wings I had no family members present. Ken made a point of telling me how it was unlucky not to have your wings pinned on by a woman (girlfriend/wife/mother/etc.) and asked his mother to pin mine on. I was honored, and felt very lucky, indeed. I've told that story many, many times over the years. Days later we went our separate ways. I was headed immmediately to Viet Nam, and Ken, because of his flying and intellectual skills, was headed to Cobra school. I was really happy for him. If anybody deserved it, he did. It's so hard to believe that it has been almost 33 years since Ken was lost. I remember looking through the KIAs in Army Times, probably sometime early in December, 1969 and was just shocked to see Ken's name listed. It was a gut-wrenching feeling, and I still often think about Ken and our friendship that ended all too soon. I spent a year in RVN, flying with the 4th Infantry Division and was lucky enough of make it home unhurt, except for the memory of the friends and classmates that weren't so lucky. I happened to stumble upon The Virtual Wall and found the tributes to Ken. I knew he was a special person, and it is certainly reflected in the recollections and tributes paid to him. I tell you right now, I celebrate his brief life, and know that he was doing what he wanted to do, using his abilities to help make this world a better place for us all. Ken, thanks for being a good friend. You are missed, admired, and loved.
Gary Alan Hall |
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Thank you for being so brave and giving your life for something you believed in. You are truly a Hero!!! I am Sgt. Thomas Alphonse Davino's sister. I set a memorial page up for my brother... It took me 36 years to do it. Your brother was nice enough to e-mail me. His e-mail and reading all about you and what you did and accomplished helped me. To All our Vietnam dead and our Veterans you are all Heros! Thank You!!!
Kathy Davino-Alagna |
A Note from The Virtual WallTwo men of the 9th Cavalry Regiment were killed when their AH-1G COBRA gunship (hull number 68-15188) was shot down. They were attempting the rescue of a "Jaguar Yellow Bird" team about 10 kilometers west-northwest of Song Be when their aircraft was hit by .51 caliber anti-aircraft fire. The two were CW2 Lawrence Joseph Babyak, pilot, and WO1 Kenneth Alan Luse, copilot.Warrant Officer Kenneth Luse was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with one Star, and the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal. |
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