Kenneth Clarence BANKS

BANKS, GRAMBLIN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:57

Kenneth Clarence Banks
1 March 1920 ---- 1 April 1945

Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Banks received word that their son Kenneth Banks, S 1/c has been missing in action since April 20, 1945. The Navy department gave no further details.

Kenneth Banks was graduated from Eagle Grove high school with the class of 1938. In January 1940 he enlisted in the Navy, taking his boot training at Great Lakes. He was first assigned to the battleship, Mississippi. Since that time, he has seen duty on several different ships.

On March 7, 1944, he was united in marriage to Letha Faye Gramblin of Garden Grove, Iowa, whom he met while he was attending the rural schools.

"Kenny" was a star on the high school wrestling team several years ago. After joining the Navy and prior to the outbreak of the war, he won the wrestling championship of the Pacific fleet in his weight.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE ---- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, April 26, 1945

The navy reports that Kenneth Banks, S 1/c has been killed in action. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Banks, were first informed that their son had been missing in action since April 20. Later the report was changed to killed in action. The body was buried on a South Pacific Island.

Seaman Banks was graduated from the Eagle Grove high school with the class of 1938. He enlisted in the navy in January 1940 and after his boot training at Great Lakes was assigned to the battleship Mississippi and since has been serving on various ships in the Pacific fleet. On March 7, 1944 he married Letha Faye Gramblin of Garden Grove, Iowa.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE ---- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, May 31, 1945

Memorial services for Kenneth C. Banks, Electrician's Mate First Class were held at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon. The following program was given:

Organ prelude, Patricia Boughton.
Opening words.
Collect.
Solo, "Lead Kindly Light", Frank Wells.
Comfort of the Scriptures.
Solo, "Wonderful Peace," Frank Wells.
A tribute, Arthur Parsons.
Gold Star Ceremony, led by the Minister.
Prayer.
Flag Ceremony and Taps by the American Legion.
Postlude, Patricia Boughton.

Kenneth Clarence Banks, youngest son of Hubert and Margaret Banks, was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, March l, 1920. As a small boy he moved with his parents to a farm in Hamilton county where they lived for four years after which they returned to Wright county. He graduated from Eagle Grove high school with the class of 1938. In January 1940 he enlisted in the U. S. Navy doing his boot training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He was then assigned to the U.S.S. Mississippi, serving on this ship for three years. After this he did duty on the U.S.S. Bushnell and the U.S.S. Republic. Then after six months training in San Diego he was assigned to the U.S.S. Hinsdale. He was serving on this ship at the time of his death. During his time in the Navy, he attained the rating of Electrician's Mate First Class. He was united in marriage to Letha Faye Gramblin, school friend, and sweetheart, of Garden Grove on March 7, 1944.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Letha Faye and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Banks of Eagle Grove, two sisters and two brothers serving with the U. S. Army, Gordon in the Philippines, and Albert at Camp Rucker, Alabama.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, September 6, 1945

Killed in WW II -- Services Only
March 27, 1949

source --- Paul Wilde