Kenneth Stanton
d. June 6, 2009
Born in Springfield April 21, 1919 the son of Alvin Hamilton Stanton and Hattie Elvira (Dill) Stanton, he attended Monson schools and was graduated from Monson High School in 1936.
After working at the Monson quarry and the Quabin Reservoir project Ken enlisted in the 18th Engineer Combat Regiment at Fort Devens. This unit relocated to Fort Logan, Colorado and later to Vancouver Barracks, Washington. He attended Engineer OCS at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers in 1942. He was assigned to the newly activated 462nd Engineer Depot at Camp Bowie, Texas.
The 462nd soon participated in the invasion of North Africa. Ken was wounded during a bombing raid in Bizerte, but was able to rejoin his company as a part of General Pattonâs 7th Army in the invasion of Sicily. During the Italian campaign the 462nd supported General Mark Clarkâs 5th Army with bridging material and other vital engineer supplies. His unit participated in the Anzio Beachhead.
When the war in Europe ended, Kenneth had been promoted to Captain and was Commanding Officer of the 462nd Engineer Depot Company and a large depot a few miles north of Leghorn, Italy.
Upon his return to the United States he was assigned as Assistant Post Engineer at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He was promoted to Major on July 25, 1951 and transferred to Lima Army Depot as Post Engineer.
His next assignment was to Japan in 1952 where he was Chief of the Camp Yokohama Fire Department. This consisted of twenty-three fire stations providing fire protection to various depots, family housing and other facilities utilized by the occupying forces. It was here that he met his wife Elizabeth (Blair). They were married in Yokohama on April 4, 1953.
Upon returning to the US he was assigned to the New York Port of Embarkation at Brooklyn Army Base as Assistant Post Engineer and Fire Marshal. For thirty days he was placed on temporary duty with the New York Fire Department for the purpose of attending the officersâ course of the New York City Fire College.
His next overseas tour of duty was to Taiwan in 1956 and 1957. He was an advisor to the Chief of Engineers of the ROC Army.
His next assignment was Post Engineer at the Seneca Army Depot. He retired there on November 30, 1959 after twenty years of active duty. His decorations include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit Citation, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with four battle stars and one arrowhead, Occupation of Japan Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and six Overseas Service Bars.
After his military retirement he worked at the Springfield Armory, Westover AFB and as a part time Monson police officer. He also served the town of Monson as Water Commissioner and as a member of the Sewer Committee.
He was a member of the Monson Senior Citizens Club, American Legion Post 241, a life member of the Monson Police Association, the Disabled American Veterans, the Military Officers of America and the National Association for Uniformed Services.
He leaves his beloved wife Elizabeth of fifty six years, his daughters Jeanne V. Dill of Monson and Mary E. Bibeau of Canton, MA, their husbands Gregory Dill and Robert E. Bibeau, six grandchildren, Stephen Dill and his wife Amanda, Cynthia (Dill) DeSellier and her husband James, Matthew Dill and his wife Stacey, Jessica, Katherine and Amanda Bibeau, and three great-grand children.
Funeral services with Military Honors will be held Thursday June 11, 2009 at 10am in the First Church of Monson, Congregational, 5 High St. Monson MA. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, June 10 2009 from 5-8pm in Lombard Funeral home 3 Bridge St. Monson. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of Monson, Congregational, 5 High St. Monson, MA 01057.