African American. Alaska Highway. Medical Detachment. Born: 28 May 1921, Newville, Henry County, AL. Died: 16 January 1993, Baltimore, MD. Enlisted: 17 March 1941, Ft. McClellan, AL and discharged 9 November 1945.
Education: one year high school. Civilian occupation: farm laborer. His father was Sylvester, a farm laborer, 1853-1932. His mother was Mary Snell 1878-1974. He had two brothers, Vester 1923-1972 and Joe, 1911-1987. He married Lucille Morgan Kirkland.
Pfc Kirkland was a member of the medical detachment assigned to the segregated 97th Engineers. They arrived at Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942. The 97th Engineers built the northern section of the Alaska Highway. Both returned to Camp Sutton, NC September 1943 and their next assignment was Milne Bay, New Guinea, Philippines.
Serial #34032948