Peake - Stiles - Person Sheet
Peake - Stiles - Person Sheet
NameCapt. Kenneth Albert DAWSON 
BirthJul 22, 1917, Bullitt Co., KY
DeathFeb 23, 1945, Calamba, Laguna Province, Calabarzon, Philippines
Burial1945, Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Phillipines
OccupationUS Army
EducationH-4
FatherPeter Leo (Judge) DAWSON (1880-1940)
MotherMargaret Cleeland (Clee) CHARLTON (1882-1970)
Misc. Notes
Kenneth A. Dawson is found in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky in the 1920 United States Federal Census (age 2, Kentucky), 1930 United States Federal Census (age 12, Kentucky) and 1940 United States Federal Census (age 22, Kentucky, Office Assistant, Meat Packing Company).
Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion. 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth A. Dawson (24) was in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania on 24 March 1942.
The 637th shipped from San Francisco on 25 May 1942 aboard the Santa Clara and arrived at Auckland, New Zealand 18 days later. His battalion arrived at Suva, Fiji Islands on 19 June 1942. “ Training was continuous during the period of time the 637th was in Fiji.” In 1943 Lt. Ken Dawson was assigned to “B” Company. On 19 August 1944 the 637th embarked to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides where they set up a new camp. “Extensive training was the order…A special jungle school was held and the battalion was re-equipped with the latest Tank Destroyer Equipment. The new M-18 Tank Destroyers arrived along with a factory representative who instructed the dismantling and reassembly as well as the proper operation, servicing, etc.” In October 1944 the battalion was sent to Bougainville in the Solomon Islands and was assigned to the Sixth Army, 37th Infantry Division. On 09 January 1945 landings began on the shores of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines. “B” Company landed on Crimson Beach and the battalion proceeded to assemble near the town of Binmaley. After a short period of time they started their drive toward Manila in support of the 37th Infantry Division.
On 29 January 1945 the 637th engaged with enemy forces at Angles and had their first encounter with Japanese tanks in the area of Clark field. Company B was assigned to support the 129th Infantry at Fort Stotsenburg. They destroyed many enemy pillboxes and other emplacements on 30 and 31 January 1945. February 1945 – “The battalion participated in the approach march on Manila, fought the battle north of the Pasig River, took part in the attack on Intramuros and was in the final battles south of the Pasig River. For these actions the battalion was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (General Orders No. 13, War Department, 01 February 1946.” Source: 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Luzon Campaign, Operations Narrative, pages 4-10.
At some point Lt. Ken Dawson was promoted to Captain of “B” Company.
Captain Kenneth A. Dawson (S/N 0-408900) of Louisville, Kentucky, Company B Commander, 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion was hit in the forehead by a Japanese bullet while he and 10 of his men from the 2nd platoon were attacking a gun emplacement at a road junction south of Calamba. *“During motorized patrol south of CALAMBA enemy sniper fire was received. While cleaning out this emplacement with 10 men, the Company Commander, Captain K. A. Dawson was killed by enemy fire.” At the time Company B was attached to the 11th Airborne Division. They were “part of a special force” providing “security on the north west” while the 11th Airborne went on their mission to liberate the 2,147 American and Allied prisoners held at the Japanese Los Baños Internment Camp. *Source: 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Luzon Campaign, Operations Narrative, page 17.
Captain Kenneth A. Dawson was initially buried in 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Block 1, Row 23, Grave 2881. After the war his remains were brought to the Fort McKinley Cemetery 7701 (now called the Manila American Cemetery) and he was buried in his final resting place in Plot D, Row 1, Grave 30. Captain Kenneth A. Dawson was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
dsp.
Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion. 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth A. Dawson (24) was in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania on 24 March 1942.
The 637th shipped from San Francisco on 25 May 1942 aboard the Santa Clara and arrived at Auckland, New Zealand 18 days later. His battalion arrived at Suva, Fiji Islands on 19 June 1942. “ Training was continuous during the period of time the 637th was in Fiji.” In 1943 Lt. Ken Dawson was assigned to “B” Company. On 19 August 1944 the 637th embarked to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides where they set up a new camp. “Extensive training was the order…A special jungle school was held and the battalion was re-equipped with the latest Tank Destroyer Equipment. The new M-18 Tank Destroyers arrived along with a factory representative who instructed the dismantling and reassembly as well as the proper operation, servicing, etc.” In October 1944 the battalion was sent to Bougainville in the Solomon Islands and was assigned to the Sixth Army, 37th Infantry Division. On 09 January 1945 landings began on the shores of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines. “B” Company landed on Crimson Beach and the battalion proceeded to assemble near the town of Binmaley. After a short period of time they started their drive toward Manila in support of the 37th Infantry Division.
On 29 January 1945 the 637th engaged with enemy forces at Angles and had their first encounter with Japanese tanks in the area of Clark field. Company B was assigned to support the 129th Infantry at Fort Stotsenburg. They destroyed many enemy pillboxes and other emplacements on 30 and 31 January 1945. February 1945 – “The battalion participated in the approach march on Manila, fought the battle north of the Pasig River, took part in the attack on Intramuros and was in the final battles south of the Pasig River. For these actions the battalion was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (General Orders No. 13, War Department, 01 February 1946.” Source: 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Luzon Campaign, Operations Narrative, pages 4-10.
At some point Lt. Ken Dawson was promoted to Captain of “B” Company.
Captain Kenneth A. Dawson (S/N 0-408900) of Louisville, Kentucky, Company B Commander, 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion was hit in the forehead by a Japanese bullet while he and 10 of his men from the 2nd platoon were attacking a gun emplacement at a road junction south of Calamba. *“During motorized patrol south of CALAMBA enemy sniper fire was received. While cleaning out this emplacement with 10 men, the Company Commander, Captain K. A. Dawson was killed by enemy fire.” At the time Company B was attached to the 11th Airborne Division. They were “part of a special force” providing “security on the north west” while the 11th Airborne went on their mission to liberate the 2,147 American and Allied prisoners held at the Japanese Los Baños Internment Camp. *Source: 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Luzon Campaign, Operations Narrative, page 17.
Captain Kenneth A. Dawson was initially buried in 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Block 1, Row 23, Grave 2881. After the war his remains were brought to the Fort McKinley Cemetery 7701 (now called the Manila American Cemetery) and he was buried in his final resting place in Plot D, Row 1, Grave 30. Captain Kenneth A. Dawson was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
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