Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has chosen twins for two of our Veterans of the Year.  They are Boyce T. Kitchens and Royce B. Kitchens. 

This image is of Royce Kitchens

They were born in Butler County on November 23, 1928 to the late Ustus and Gusta (Ruley) Kitchens.  They served in the Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 and were together the whole time except for their discharge.  Both were living in Indianapolis, IN when they were drafted.  They left Indiana for Camp Breckenridge, KY for their basic training.  From there they were sent to Ft. Riley, KS, then to Sparta, Wi & took training in 105th Heavy Artillery then to Camp Kilmore, NJ, where they were shipped out to Germany.

They were stationed there  for 12 months Heavy Artillery Division.

They got orders twice to go to Korea.  The first time was while at Camp Breckenridge, Boyce got hit with a 2200 lb shell and had to have stomach surgery so Royce didn’t have to go.  The second time was at Ft. Riley, it was Royce who had to have surgery for his back, Boyce didn’t have to go.

After returning to the states in 1952 for discharge their orders somehow got mixed up and Boyce was sent to Camp  Breckenridge for his discharge and Royce was sent to and Ft. Meade, MD for his.  That was the only time they were separated while they were in the service.

Both went back to Indiana and worked at International Harvester for a short time and they worked at Chrysler for a while.  Royce eventually moved to Tennessee, near Nashville, and went to work for Ford Motor Company.  He worked there for 44 years, retiring in 2001.  While working there in 1998, he lost part of his right arm when it was caught in a machine.

Royce married in 1953  to Annie Ruth Ray.  She passed away in 2008.  They had two sons, Stephen and Jeffery.  Jeffery passed away just this year.  Royce now lives in Portland, TN.

Boyce retired from American Standard in 1983.  He was married in 1951 to Alla Mae Bean.  They also had two children, Marsha and Gerald.

The Butler County Chapter NSDAR salutes you both as Veterans of the Year.   Thank you for your service.

by Lois Russ