Guardsman Killed
Hartley, Ia., Sgt. Ronald Kunkle, former member of Company I, Sheldon national guard unit, has been officially declared killed in action. He was first reported missing in action since March, 1944. Sgt. Kunkle was a member of the third Ranger battalion of the 34th infantry division and participated in the Dieppe raid and was also decorated for bravery during the campaign of north Africa, Italy, and Sicily. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received in battle.
Survivors include his mother, of Fresno, Calif.; a brother, John, with the United States army in France, and a sister, Mrs. Byron Cole, a nurse.
Source: Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, Sunday, October 22, 1944 (photo included)
Ronald Leo Kunkle was born Sept. 15, 1920 to George and Grace Doherty Kunkle. He died Jan. 30, 1944 and is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy.
Sgt. Kunkle served in World War II with the U.S. Army 3rd Ranger Battalion and was KIA in Italy and awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
