Kenneth James Cann was born on October 3, 1930, to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Cann in Santa Cruz, California. Kenneth spent his formative years in Santa Cruz. About 1945 he entered Santa Cruz High School and remained at the school for the next two years. After leaving school, he was employed in Santa Cruz by the Birds Eye Frozen Food Plant and at the Casa del Rey Hotel.

In 1948 Kenneth Cann enlisted in the US Army and after completing basic and engineer training, was assigned to the 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division at Ft. Lewis, Washington. When the Korean War began, his battalion was rushed to Korea and arrived on July 23, 1950. Their mission was to hold the North Korean army at the Pusan perimeter line until additional troops could arrive. Cann's battalion provided engineering support for the 2nd division; however, in September, during fierce fighting at the Naktong River, their primary function changed from engineers to infantrymen.

“The savage battle raged throughout the day and night of 1-2 September and by 2400 hours on the 1st, the entire Division reserve had been committed including the 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion which saw its first action about 2400 hours on 1 September. Time and time again the engineers were to prove as good at combat as they were in engineering activities.”

During the fighting occurring on September 2, 1950, Corporal Kenneth James Cann was killed in action. His body was recovered and interred in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno. His awards include the Purple Heart.

(USDVA; ABMC; NARAK; Korean War Veterans Alliance 2nd Infantry Division During the Korean War, 1991, http://www.2id. org/naktongriver.htm, [16 September 2008], SCR September 28, 1950 1:5; SCSn September 14,1951 1:5)