Kenneth Wayne Roche

Kenneth Wayne Roche grew up in rural Nemaha in Sac County. He joined the Army and trained as an infantryman. SP4 Roche arrived in Southeast Asia in February 1967 and was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, in the 25th Infantry Division. He was six days short of a full year tour when he was killed on February 22, 1968. On that day his company, along Company C and a tank attachment, conducted a search and destroy operation near Hoc Mon in the central highlands of South Vietnam. In the afternoon the Americans encountered the enemy and received heavy incoming machinegun and mortar fire. SP4 Roche died of injuries sustained during the engagement. He was 20 years old at the time of his death. Roche had two brothers who completed tours in Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant by the Army. The young Iowan’s body was laid to rest at the Nemaha Cemetery in Sac County.