Kenneth E. Kuspiel was born in Linden, NJ, on January 23, 1947, to Ed and Mary Kuspiel. His home of record is Clark, NJ. He had one sister, Judith and one brother, Ed Jr. Kenneth graduated from Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School in 1964. While in high school, he played soccer and varsity basketball. Kenneth continued his education at Fairleigh Dickinson University for two years.

He entered the US Army and attained the rank of Specialist 4 (SP4).

Kuspiel was killed in action on February 1, 1968, when a mine exploded during an Army briefing session.

Kenneth was awarded the Vietnam Combat and Service Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the National Defense Service Medal and the Marksmanship Badge w/Rifle.

Kenneth is buried in St. Gertrude’s Cemetery.

Ken was the typical, young man, growing up in a wonderful town. Growing up, he participated in regular school sports. In high school, his game was basketball and he was one of the team’s best rebounders – being 6’4”, 185 pounds. He was only 17 ½ when he graduated. Ken commuted to Fairleigh Dickinson (Madison Campus) for two years. Having 4 years of French probably was another reason for him being where he was. Being 20 years old and at that time, things being so unsettling, his close friends decided to push their student status and enlist for just two years. They kept him stateside at Camp Hood, Texas until September 1967. He was in Vietnam when he was killed during the Tet Offensive on February 1, 1968.

He was stationed at the Marine Base at Chu Lai during combat duty. He was getting ready to go for Green Beret training before the Offensive started.

Written by Mrs. E. Kuspiel, Mother
July 2004

Sources: Mary Kuspiel (mother) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024