LEWISTOWN — Technician Fourth Grade Kenneth Notestine operated M5 Stuart tanks during the amphibious invasion of French Morocco in December 1942. He survived the ferocious fighting during the assault of Sicily. His 66th Armored Regiment landed at Normandy on June 9, 1944 and defeated the Germans’ 6th Parachute and 37th SS Panzer Regiments near Carentan, France. Notestine pursued the Nazis across France to the German border, where his regiment was diverted to Belgium to counter the enemy’s advance during the Battle of the Bulge. His unit assisted in the destruction of the 2nd Panzer Division and in the liberation of Belgium. Notestine gave his last full measure of devotion in the Battle of the Bulge.

Kenneth Albert Notestine was born on March 15, 1919 in Granville Township, Mifflin County to Robert Smith and Prudence May Snyder Notestine, who were natives of the state. His parents tended the family’s farm outside of Lewistown. Notestine was the youngest child of the family’s seven children, which included Robert Sr, Daniel, John, Ruth, Howard and Harold.

Notestine graduated from high school and became employed as a machinist by the Lycoming Aviation Manufacturing Corporation in Williamsport. He registered for the draft in Lewistown on Oct. 30, 1940. His brothers, Harold and Howard, were employed by the local rayon mill. Sister Ruth was working as a clerk for a chicken hatchery.Notestine enlisted in the Army in Harrisburg on May 29, 1942. After his completion of stateside training, he was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and was assigned to Company A, 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, 9th Army. The unit previously was designated the 66th Infantry (Light Tanks) until July 15, 1940. Notestine was killed in action on Jan. 8, 1945 in Belgium during a combat operation in the Battle of the Bulge. His body was recovered and repatriated to the United States. Notestine’s funeral was held at Fretz Funeral Home in Lewistown. He was laid to rest on Nov. 10, 1947 at Mount Rock Cemetery in Lewistown. Notestine posthumously received the Purple Heart.

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Stories Behind the Stars memorials are accessible for free on the internet and via smart phone app at gravesites and cenotaphs. The non-profit organization is dedicated to honoring all 421,000 fallen Americans from World War II, including 31,000 from Pennsylvania. To volunteer or for more information, contact Kathy Harmon at kharmon@storiesbehindthestars.org or visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org.