Kenneth Glen Goodness
January 19, 1949 - August 14, 1969
Nekoosa, Wisconsin

Kenneth was born to Glen and Alvina Kleifgen Goodness January 19, 1949. He had one brother, Gary, and four sisters, Marilyn, Susan, Nancy and Janet. His sister, Nancy, died of pneumonia in 1947. He also lost his father in 1953 in a car accident.

Ken loved fishing, hunting and ski jumping. He was a member of the Tri-Norse Skiclub. He also loved just having a good time. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Alexander High School in 1968.

In January 1969, he joined the army, going to Fort Campbell in Kentucky for basic training. He was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, and was sent to Vietnam on June 1, 1969. On the 14th of August 1969, he was killed in action serving as a Mortarman.

His unit was conducting a sweep operation southeast of Kontum when they were engaged by an unknown size enemy force. Repeatedly, Kenny exposed himself to the intense enemy fire. He placed a heavy volume of fire on the enemy positions until he was mortally wounded.

He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism in the battle at Kontum. He also was awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

His family had a legacy stone placed at the Highgrounds in October 1996 in his honor. We are very proud of him and miss him very much.

Written by Susan Skibba, sister to Ken Goodness

Kenneth Glenn Goodness

It is a special honor and privilege to be writing this biography in memory of my father's cousin, PFC Kenneth Glenn Goodness. Kenny was born on January 19th, 1949 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin to Cecil and Glenn Goodness, Kenny graduated from Alexander High School in Nekoosa, where he lived in 1968. Kenneth entered the army shortly after his graduation in January, with the lst Battalion 12th Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division. He was sent to serve in Vietnam on June 1st, 1969, at the young age of 20. Kenny had been serving for only a little over 2 months when his infantry unit came under mortar attack at 2:30 am on August 14th, 1969 in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. This is where Kenny was killed in action. For honoring his country, and giving his life, Kenny had received the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star for bravery. He was survived by his mother Cecil and his stepfather, his brother, Gary, and three sisters from Nekoosa. Kenny is missed dearly by all who knew him. His family wrote this heart felt note of gratitude in the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune shortly after his death:
Little do we think as we go from day to day how quickly sorrow can strike the heart. When it does the instant sympathy and helpfulness of our relatives, many friends, and neighbors, is a great comfort. Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to each of you for your acts of kindness, cards of condolence, beautiful floral and spiritual bouquets, at the sad and sudden loss of our dear son and brother Pfc Kenneth Goodness. Special thanks to the Reverend Anglo Conimoretto, to the Nekoosa businessmen members of the VFW Color Guard and to all who called to pay their respects. Thanks also to the Feldner Funeral Home for their kind and efficient service.

My father, Ben Faust, distinctly remembers going fishing and camping up north with Kenny when they were young children. It is touching to know that they were so close with each other.

Kenny will always be remembered as a young man who gave his life so that we may have freedom today. I have respect and admiration for those who willingly choose to serve their country. I know for certain that Kenny's relatives and friends honor him for his unbiased service.

Written By: Emily Faust
Marshfield Senior High