Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of First Lieutenant Kenneth Ragan Shoemaker, Jr, a brave U.S. Army Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was just 26 years old.
A resident of Owensboro, Kentucky, 1LT Shoemaker served with unwavering commitment as a Nurse Anesthetist (MOS 3445) with 67th Evacuation Hospital, 55th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.
At the time of his death, 1LT Shoemaker was deployed in the Binh Dinh Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.
Beginning his tour in Vietnam on July 2, 1967, 1LT Shoemaker’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.
1LT Shoemaker’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel 31E, Line 17, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
To learn more about 1LT Shoemaker and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.
If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to 1LT Shoemaker or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.
