Ken Hart
Encyclopedia
Ken Hart was an American World War II
pilot, publisher, composer, actor, editor, lobbyist, writer, disc jockey and campaign manager. He was born in Long Beach, New York
and died in Frankfort, Kentucky
.
In 1942, Lieutenant
Ken Hart and Corporal Bert Gold, both natives of Long Beach, New York
serving in the United States Army
, co-wrote "Dogface Soldier", a song that became widely popular during and after WWII, and used as a soundtrack in the 1955 film "To Hell and Back
" starring Audie Murphy
.
. After the war, he held the positions of Vice President and General Manager of radio station WLAP
in Lexington, Kentucky
. He had one son by Rita Lannon, the met and married Jane Hart
, and had another son and a daughter.
Ken and Jane Hart
were both in the public eye and public service of Kentucky
for decades. Publisher of the Kentucky Coal Journal, Ken Hart also worked for the State Journal for many years. He was involved in the theater life of Frankfort, Kentucky
as a playwright and actor.
This song's instrumental music served as the theme song for the 1956 movie "To Hell and Back
", the story of Audie Murphy
, America's most decorated hero. The song was originally intended for the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division.
In 19__ the Kentucky History Center dedicated a memorial to "Dogface Soldier"; the memorial is permanently displayed at the center in Frankfort, Kentucky
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
pilot, publisher, composer, actor, editor, lobbyist, writer, disc jockey and campaign manager. He was born in Long Beach, New York
Long Beach, New York
Long Beach is a city in Nassau County, New York. Just south of Long Island, it is located on Long Beach Barrier Island, which is the westernmost of the outer barrier islands off Long Island's South Shore. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 33,275...
and died in Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
.
In 1942, Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Ken Hart and Corporal Bert Gold, both natives of Long Beach, New York
Long Beach, New York
Long Beach is a city in Nassau County, New York. Just south of Long Island, it is located on Long Beach Barrier Island, which is the westernmost of the outer barrier islands off Long Island's South Shore. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 33,275...
serving in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, co-wrote "Dogface Soldier", a song that became widely popular during and after WWII, and used as a soundtrack in the 1955 film "To Hell and Back
To Hell and Back (film)
To Hell and Back is a CinemaScope war film released in 1955. It was directed by Jesse Hibbs and starred Audie Murphy as himself and Kyle Sanville. It is based on the 1949 autobiography of the same name and is an account of Murphy's World War II experiences as a soldier in the U.S. Army...
" starring Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
.
Career
Lt. Hart served as a pilot and with the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, he held the positions of Vice President and General Manager of radio station WLAP
WLAP
WLAP is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Lexington, Kentucky, USA, the station serves the Central Kentucky region. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications of Lexington and features programing from Fox News Radio.-History:About 1912,...
in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. He had one son by Rita Lannon, the met and married Jane Hart
Jane Hart
Jane Hart was involved in numerous political issues and contributed years of service in the mentally/physically challenged arenas in the state of Kentucky....
, and had another son and a daughter.
Ken and Jane Hart
Jane Hart
Jane Hart was involved in numerous political issues and contributed years of service in the mentally/physically challenged arenas in the state of Kentucky....
were both in the public eye and public service of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
for decades. Publisher of the Kentucky Coal Journal, Ken Hart also worked for the State Journal for many years. He was involved in the theater life of Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
as a playwright and actor.
"Dogface Soldier"
Hart and Gold wrote Dogface Soldier "out of respect to the grunts that pride we Americans... in every conflict."This song's instrumental music served as the theme song for the 1956 movie "To Hell and Back
To Hell and Back
To Hell and Back may refer to:*To Hell and Back, an autobiographical book by Audie Murphy*To Hell and Back , a film adaptation of the autobiography starring Audie Murphy as himself*To Hell and Back by power metal band Sinergy...
", the story of Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
, America's most decorated hero. The song was originally intended for the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division.
In 19__ the Kentucky History Center dedicated a memorial to "Dogface Soldier"; the memorial is permanently displayed at the center in Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
.