Al Kessler

Ancestors

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Biography

Al was first of three boys to parents Ernest Kessler and Delta Newton, brothers were Ken b. 1926 and Ernest “Bud” 1929, in Independence, Kansas and after Bud was born The Kesler’s move to Phoenix, Arizona (1930 Census). Phoenix was hotbed for jobs with Hoover Dam during this time.

It appears their moved again to City of Wasco in Oregon in “The Dallas” were Al enlistment into Army 1938. The 1940 Census list his job a guardsman for National Guard. His separation orders show him under 161st Infantry Regiment Company E .His regiment was attached to 25th Infantry Division during WWII “Tropic Lighting” for their speed in battle.

Al mother Delta divorced Ernest Kessler abt. 1950 move to Spokane.

After the attacked at Pearl Harbor, Al transfer to Schofield Barracks on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. Schofield Barracks has an area of some 17,725 acres (72 km2) on Central Oʻahu. The post was established in 1908 to provide mobile defense of Pearl Harbor and the entire island. It has been the home of the 25th Infantry Division, known as the Tropic Lightning Division,

Here is part of the history of Al’s regiment (161th Infantry Company E) during WWII:

The Japanese attacked Hawaii and the Philippines before the 161st was to depart San Francisco. In reaction the War Department directed the 161st to Hawaii to reinforce the defenses there. The Regiment sailed from San Francisco on 16 December 1941, arriving in Hawaii on 21 December 1941. On 17 February 1942 the 161st Infantry was reassigned from the 41st Division to the Hawaiian Department. On 23 July 1942 the War Department reassigned the 298th Infantry Regiment of the Hawaiian National Guard, which had been assigned to the 25th since the Division's activation on 1 October 1941, to the 24th Infantry Division and replaced it on 3 August 1942 with the 161st Infantry.

Here are the battles Al participated:

Guadalcanal Northern Solomon Luzon (Al was wounded twice and received Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for multiple injuries)

Al bravery in action during Luzon receive second highest award "Bronze Star".

Al spent the next few years in various Army hospitals:

Luzon Hospital in Philippians March 1945 McCall General Hospital April 1945 Idaho (Nerve Repair) Bushnell General Hospital March 1946 Brigham City Utah (Amputation left leg) Letterman General Hospital April 1946 San Francisco CA (Surgical fusion and posteriors’ transplant)

Al final retired from the Army Oct. 29, 1948 161st as Unit Commander (Captain), very interesting that Al must have received multiple promotions in the field from private to captain. AMAZING!

November 1948 Al was attending Weber Jr. College in Ogden Utah

Edna Belle and Thelma Van Zandt were working at Army Depot in Utah 1948.

Al and Edna Belle meet and get married in 1948 Ogden Utah?

Van Brock was born December 18, 1949 Ogden Utah (was she pregnant before they got married?).

After graduating with engineering degree, went to work at Army Depot in Utah 1950.

1954 Worked for Westinghouse Air Brakes (WABTEC today) Technology Inc. – top secret field guidance system. The Kessler’s move to Alexandria WV near Washington DC.

1955 Paul was born in Fort Belvoir Virginia town of Alexandria WV

1957 Kessler’s moved to Oakland, Al worked at Alameda Naval Station, repairing jet engines. Also, close to Letterman Hospital in San Francisco.

1959 Divorced Edna Belle Van Zandt-Kessler

1959 Al working in Pasadena CA, Pasadena Air near Glendale

1960 Al moved to Sacramento CA

1960 Married Ruth Evelyn Butler-Convoy

1960 to 64 MCS Corp. in San Gabriel CA – Guidance Systems

1964 to 68 Altronic Corp. in _________ CA – Electronics

Start of Vietnam War

1968 to 71 Roger & Oling in Pasadena CA Foreman Last Job – Retired?

1970 Reaffirmed marriage with Ruth, in Las Vegas

1972 Replaced right hip after fall

^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Personal recollection of events witnessed by Paul Kessler as remembered 29 Dec 2018.