death of Billie G. Kanell. To those who do not know his story, Private Kanell is simply considered another small town boy who went off to fight in the war, as many young men did during that time, and never came back. However, to those who know his story, he is considered a very courageous and heroic young man who touched the lives of many others with his selfless sacrifice. Billie Gene Kanell was born in the small town of Poplar Bluff, Missouri on June 21, 1931 to parents John and Iva Kanell. Kanell