World War II · United States Army
First Lieutenant
Company B, 24th Armored Engineer Battalion, 4th Armored Division
Died of wounds in France · 24 September 1944
Hover to reveal colorKenneth F. Dutton
His story
Kenneth F. Dutton served as an armored engineer officer during the 4th Armored Division’s advance across France. His courage was recognized with the Silver Star. His operational timeline is being reconstructed from Company B morning reports and other surviving records.
Explore the archive
Long-form sources are kept in separate reading rooms so Kenneth F. Dutton’s profile can remain a clear guide to his life, service, and surviving records.
At a glance
Every statement is phrased according to the strength of the evidence currently held or identified.
Operational timeline
The Wisconsin State Journal described Kenneth’s earlier Army Air Corps service, injuries, Officer Candidate School graduation at Fort Belvoir, transfer to the engineering corps, and return overseas. The article placed his story alongside the aviation service of brothers Eldon, Ralph, and LaVerne.
Headquarters, 4th Armored Division, awarded Kenneth the Silver Star in General Orders No. 28 for gallantry in action against the enemy in France. The surviving order confirms the award but masks the specific action date and does not include an individual narrative citation.
The company morning report records Company B under heavy mortar and artillery fire before it departed the Fresnes-en-Saulnois area at 1400 and arrived near Pattoncourt at 1700, a movement of approximately five miles.
The 4th Armored Division Surgeon’s Journal records Combat Command B heavily attacked by 40 to 50 tanks supported by artillery and infantry. Combat Command A faced infantry and tank attacks from the east and west, while the 25th Cavalry received artillery and small-arms fire on the northeastern flank. The entry reports 52 wounded and 14 combat-exhaustion cases across the division. This is division-level context and does not identify how Kenneth was wounded.
A subsequent morning report records First Lieutenant Kenneth F. Dutton as seriously wounded in action and having died of wounds on the same date. He was listed as a Combat Engineer Unit Commander. The reports place his death on the day his company came under heavy fire, but do not explicitly state that the bombardment caused his wounds.
Company B departed its position one-half mile northwest of Pattoncourt at 1100 and arrived at Carbesseaux at 1400. The report records a distance of ten miles.
The company departed Carbesseaux at 1030. The continuation appeared on Page 2, which is not reproduced because it contains no information concerning Kenneth or the events presently discussed in this archive.
Beyond the uniform
A military file can record a rank, unit, wound, or death—but not a laugh, a favorite story, an occupation, or the way a person was known at home. This section is reserved for photographs, letters, memories, and the details of Kenneth F. Dutton’s life outside his service.
Documents & evidence
Read the original records beside selected transcriptions, then follow their evidence directly into the timeline.
Document 01
Ending 26 September 1944
Records Company B under heavy mortar and artillery fire on 24 September and its movement from the Fresnes-en-Saulnois area to a position near Pattoncourt.
Selected transcription
Station: Pattoncourt, ½ mile northwest. Organization: Company B, 24th Armored Engineer Battalion.
24 Sept 44 — Co under heavy mortar and Artillery Fire. Co departed location of Fresnes-en-Saulnois at 1400 and arrived at Pattoncourt, ½ mi. NW, 1700. Distance travelled 5 miles.
Map reference: Sheet VI, 1/100,000. Co-ordinates: 03.8 – 21.7.
[A personnel entry concerning another officer appears above the Record of Events.]
Document 02
Ending 28 September 1944 · Page 1
Names Kenneth F. Dutton and records his change from seriously wounded in action to died of wounds on 24 September 1944. It also records Company B’s movements on 25 and 26 September.
Selected transcription
Station: [Athienville], 1 mile northeast. Organization: Company B, 24th Armored Engineer Battalion.
01103147 — Dutton, Kenneth F. — 1st Lt.
SIA, 24 Sept 44 to DOW, 24 Sept 44. Dropped fr assgmt. Duty: Combat Engr Unit Cmdr — 1331.
25 Sept 44 — Co departed ½ mi. NW of Pattoncourt at 1100. Arrived at Carbesseaux, 1400. Distance travelled 10 mi.
26 Sept 44 — Co departed Carbesseaux at 1030. [Entry continues on Page 2.]
[Other personnel entries not concerning Kenneth are omitted from this selected transcription.]
Further records
The documented lead for Kenneth’s Silver Star.
May clarify the action in which he was wounded.
Sought for casualty and family-correspondence details.
