Kenneth Joseph Comiske was born July 11, 1917 in Forestport, NY to John J. Comiske (1888-1969) and Ruby Graham (1898-1995). His parents were married on May 29, 1916 in Boonville, NY. His dad was from Poland, coming to the United States in 1888. His mom was from St. Louis, Missouri. He had a younger sister Rita (1929-2024) and a younger brother Roy who died when he was young. His dad was a Foreman for the Railroad and had a long and distinguished career with them, retiring after 50 years of service. His mom was active in local politics and worked at the Sunset Nursing Home. Kenneth attended schools in Forestport and graduated from Forestport Central School (High School) in June 1937 (there were 8 in his graduating class). While there he played basketball and baseball and competed in public speaking contests that he often won. He also spent time in Schenectady, NY visiting family (his aunt Ella Geisler). That led to him finding a job there after he graduated.

He was a member of the International Order of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) in Forestport and won Lewneida League achievements for public speaking. He enlisted in the Navy on May 4, 1938 and attended the Naval Training School in Newport R.I. (U.S. Naval War College). During his first stint in the Navy (he re-enlisted after his first 4 years) his service number was 2385978 and he spent most of his time on the U.S.S. Sampson (DD-394). His second stint was also mostly aboard Sampson but he was commissioned as an Ensign and transferred to the U.S.S. Enterprise in November 1944.

Before the outbreak of World War II, Sampson participated in fleet maneuvers and training exercises mainly along the east coast and Caribbean. As the Neutrality Patrol's increased she took part in these throughout 1940 and into 1941. In the summer of 1941 President Roosevelt ordered greater support for Britain and Sampson began escorting convoys and carrying war materials. In 1942 – 1943 she operated in the South Pacific, escorting shipping and conducting anti-submarine patrols in the Panama Canal Zone, Bora Bora and the Society Islands, South Pacific, along the West Coast of South American, New Caledonia and the Fiji Islands. By 1944 she moved further west and participated in the occupation of the Emirau Island and supported operations along the coast of New Guinea. In December 1944, now Ens. Comiske was transferred to the U.S.S. Enterprise.

On March 20, 1945 the Enterprise suffered damage from anti-aircraft fire intended for attacking enemy aircraft while supporting the invasion of Okinawa. Ens. Comiske was on duty on the Signal Bridge that day. Shells from nearby ships detonated over her forward flight deck. A number of aircraft caught fire and exploded. Eight members of the crew were killed and Ens. Comiske went missing. Commander W.L. Kabler, Executive Officer recorded in his "Plan of the Day for Wednesday, March 21, 1945" that Ens. Comiske was "Missing in Action" from the action of the previous day. Hometown newspapers reported him "missing" in April 1945.

He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously and declared killed in action (presumptive) a year a day later on March 22, 1946. His remains were never recovered and he is memorialized in the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii.

Author's Note: Muster Rolls obtained from the National Archives also show Kenneth was aboard the U.S.S. Ranger (CV-4) at one time as well as the U.S.S. Alkes (AK-110) . This is not surprising given how long he served. He likely appeared on these rolls during times he was traveling to and from the Sampson for other duty or furlough.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project. This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen on Together We Served and Fold3.

(Please see - http://www.storiesbehindthestars.org).

Can you help us write these stories? Together We Served and Fold3/Find A Grave have smartphone apps that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery and read these stories of WWII fallen.

If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute, please contact Jim Greenberg at jim.greenberg@oneonta.edu.

SBTSProject/New York/Oneida

Sources

"3 Gold Star Mothers Feted By Auxiliary", Daily Sentinel, Rome, N.Y., January 10, 1950, pg. 14.

Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1847-1849, 1907-1936 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.

"Casualties", Daily Sentinel, Rome, N.Y., April 26, 1945, pg. 4.

Dad's FAG - Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95299116/john_j-comiske: accessed 19 Oct 2026), memorial page for John J Comiske (22 Dec 1888–5 Oct 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 95299116, citing Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Boonville, Oneida County, New York, USA; Maintained by Karen Dwyer (contributor 47414733).

"Ensign Comiske Missing in Action", Daily Sentinel, Rome, NY, April 4, 1945, pg. 9.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56127400/kenneth_joseph-comiske: accessed 19 Oct 2026), memorial page for Ens Kenneth Joseph Comiske (11 Jul 1917–20 Mar 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56127400, citing Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA; Maintained by MAJ Jimmy Cotton (contributor 48803557).

"Kenneth Comiske Given Farewell At I.O.O.F. Temple", Daily Sentinel, Rome, N.Y., May 5, 1938, pg. 5.

National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001;Saratoga (CV-3), 1/1/39-9/10/41; Record Group 24: Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel; Series: Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities; NAID: 192348045

National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001; [Officers] Buck, Richard THRU Digh; Record Group 24: Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel; Series: Index of Purple Heart Award Recipients; NAID: 491865891

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Sister's FAG - Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/273313879/rita_j-lennon: accessed 19 Oct 2026), memorial page for Rita J. Comiske Lennon (20 Apr 1929–28 Jul 2024), Find a Grave Memorial ID 273313879, citing Mount Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro, Oneida County, New York, USA; Maintained by B Rozpad (contributor 50074804).

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U.S.S. Enterprise (CV6) War History, 7 December, 1941 to 15 August, 1945, The Chief of Naval Operations, accessed at Naval History and Heritage Command, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/w/war-damage-reports/uss-enterprise-cv6-war-history-1941-1945.html on October 19, 2026, pg. 34.

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U.S.S. Rigel (AD-13), Wikipedia entry, accessed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Rigel_(AD-13) on October 24, 2026.

U.S.S. Sampson (DD-394), Wikipedia entry, accessed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Sampson_(DD-394) on October 24, 2026.

Year: 1930; Census Place: Forestport, Oneida, New York; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0017; FHL microfilm: 2341354

Supporting Documents