Kenneth E. Aleshire

"In his short life, he brought much joy to many people," Aleshire�s parents said. Their son had been an outstanding baseball player since his days in the Olney Midget Baseball League, and dreamed of making the major leagues. Nicknamed "The Kid," He was a star pitcher on Olney High School teams in the rnid- 1960s. Aleshire turned down an athletic scholarship to Temple University, playing instead for Jenkintown in the Penndel League after graduating from Olney. He had caught the eye of several major league scouts, and arranged to be drafted earlier so he could complete his military obligation and get on with a baseball career. Aleshire was inducted into the Army in April 1967 and shipped out to Vietnam the following September to join Company C of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. The specialist four, a rifleman, was killed on Feb. 27, 1968, nine days after his 20th birthday, when his combat unit came under heavy fire near Saigon. Aleshire twice drew fire upon himself to allow other men in his unit to seek cover. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. A memorial fund established in his memory has resulted in many boys attending a Christian athlete�s camp. The fund now helps endow athletic organizations. Aleshire was survived by his parents and two brothers.