Kenneth J. Schall – Sergeant, United States Army

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NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 508-05
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Kenneth J. Schall, 22, of Peoria, Arizona, died May 22, 2005, in Yusafiyah, Iraq, when the HMMWV in which he was riding was involved in an accident.  Schall was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

 Wednesday, May 25 2005

A 22-year-old soldier from Peoria died this week in Iraq when his Humvee was involved in an accident in Yusufiyah, south of Baghdad, the Department of Defense reported.

Sergeant Kenneth J. Schall was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas.

He died Sunday. Details about the vehicle accident were unavailable Tuesday.

Schall, who went by Kenny, graduated from Centennial High School in Peoria, where he was an All-Conference golfer, his mother, Terri Schall, said. He had a great sense of humor and also played baseball and basketball. He had recently taken up snowboarding and loved fishing.

“It was very tough not to be touched by him in some way,” she said.

He enrolled at Glendale Community College and was on a path to become a history teacher when the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks happened.

The event spurred him to join the Army.

Schall served in Iraq for 4 1/2 months last year and returned home for about eight months. He went back in February and his tour would have ended in July, his mother said.

Many of his pictures from Iraq showed Schall playing soccer with Iraqi children or handing out candy.

“He enjoyed it, as much as you can,” his mother said.

Terri last spoke to her son on Mother’s Day.

“He sounded great – tired – but he said he was doing OK,” she said. After spending time in Iraq, Schall hoped to join the Phoenix Fire Department or a bomb squad.

He is also survived by his father, John, and two younger siblings.

Kenneth J. Schall.

Born June 27, 1982, Our beloved and loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, was killed in action in the service of his country on May 22, 2005.

Kenny was born in Phoenix and graduated from Centennial High School in Peoria in 2001 where he lettered in golf and was a five–time medallist, a record that still stands.

He was an all-around athlete and loved fishing, snowboarding, baseball, and basketball, and thoroughly enjoyed being big brother to his sister and brother. He was one step away from being able to whoop his dad, at least according to his dad.

He was attending Glendale Community College when 9/11 occurred and enlisted in the U.S. Army soon thereafter. He stayed to complete his A.A. degree in May 2003 and then entered boot camp. In January 2005 he was recognized for his leadership and promoted to Sergeant.

He is survived by his parents, John and Terri Schall; his sister, Jessica; and brother, Matthew. He is also survived by his jaja, Wally Presmyk; his godparents, Les and Paula Presmyk; 9 uncles and 8 aunts on his mother’s side; 3 uncles and 4 aunts on his father’s side, and 32 cousins, give or take one. His life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday, May 30 at Shadow Rock Congregational Church, 12861 N. 8th Avenue in Phoenix. Reception will follow at Smith Hall at the church facilities.

In lieu of flowers, his family has asked that donations be made to Army Emergency Relief, Attn. Donations, 200 Stovall Street, Room 5-N-13, Alexandra, VA 22332-0600 or to your favorite youth sports organization.

SCHALL, KENNETH JOHN
SGT   US ARMY

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 06/27/1982
  • DATE OF DEATH: 05/22/2005
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 8115
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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