Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth K. McAninch

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth K. McAninch, 28, of Logansport, Ind.

SSgt McAninch was assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Oct. 21, 2010 at Yahya Khel district, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

An Army soldier from Northern Indiana -- the 41st military service member from the state killed in Afghanistan -- leaves behind his wife, five children and his parents.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army’s delayed entry program in early 2005 and reported for active duty in March of that year, according to military records.

McAninch attended Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School.

“I remember Kenny,” Lewis Cass Principal Bill Isaacs said. “He was one of those kids who always worked hard to get things done.”

Isaacs described McAninch as cooperative and respectful. He said he was saddened by McAninch’s death. “It reminds us of the contributions and sacrifices these soldiers are making for us,” Isaacs said.

McAninch is the first Cass County war casualty since the death of Cpl. Shawn Hensel in August 2007. The 20-year-old Hensel was killed while serving in Iraq. He left behind a young wife.

“Even one loss is too many,” said Tim Minnick of the Cass County Veterans Council.

Minnick, a veteran of the Vietnam War, called on the people of Cass County to rally to the support of McAninch’s family. “It’s time for the community to embrace the family and comfort them in their time of need,” he said.

Family members were waiting Saturday for the return of McAninch's body to the United States, said Chris Smith, manager of Gundrum Funeral Home, Logansport, where the arrangements are pending.

His awards and decorations include: Joint Service Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth K. McAninch was killed in action on 10/21/10.