Southgate in Campbell County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

PFC Edward H. Ahrens

United States Marine Corps

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025

1. PFC Edward H. Ahrens Marker

Plaque produced by the Rolf Monument Company.

Inscription. Edward H. Ahrens was born on November 4, 1919 in Dayton, Kentucky and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 3, 1942.

Assigned to Company A, 1st Raider Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, Ahrens landed with his unit—on Tulagi, Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands—in the second assault wave on August 7, 1942. That same night the Japanese launched a fierce nocturnal counterattack. During the savage battle that ensued, PFC Ahrens single-handedly, and with utter disregard for his own personal safety, engaged a group of Japanese soldiers in hand-to-hand combat as they attempted to infiltrate. He is credited with killing the officer in command and breaking up the Japanese attack.

Major Lew Walt walked the lines the next morning. “I came across a foxhole occupied by Ahrens, a small man of about 140 pounds... he was slumped in one corner of the foxhole covered with blood from head to foot. In the foxhole with him were two dead Japs, a Lieutenant and a Sergeant. There were 11 more dead Japs on the ground in front of his position. In his hands he clutched the dead officer’s sword.” Ahrens was dying from

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multiple gunshot and stab wounds. His last words, “The bastards tried to come over me last night—I guess they didn’t know I was a Marine."

Private First Class Edward H. Ahrens, 22 years of age, died in Major Walt’s arms. For his acts of heroism, Ahrens was awarded the Navy Cross.

Erected 2024 by YM/MGySgt Abby Smith.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1942.

Location. 39° 3.936′ N, 84° 28.438′ W. Marker is in Southgate, Kentucky, in Campbell County. It can be reached from the intersection of Alexandria Pike (U.S. 27) and the Evergreen Cemetery entrance. It is in Evergreen Cemetery, Section 48. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Alexandria Pike, Newport KY 41071, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally,

PFC Edward H. Ahrens Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025

2. PFC Edward H. Ahrens Gravesite

His gravestone is the third from this sign, marked with the small World War Two flag holder.

it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Shaler Battery and the Black Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shaler Battery (about 300 feet away); Richard Southgate (approx. 0.2 miles away); Major David Leitch Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Samuel Bigstaff (approx. 0.3 miles away); Major David Leitch (approx. 0.3 miles away); Brigadier General George Baird Hodge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Brent Spence (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southgate.

Also see . . . Young Marine Abby Smith, a Beechwood sophomore, made it her mission to honor veteran Edward Ahrens. 2024 article in the Northern Kentucky Tribune. Excerpt

Young Marine Abby Smith, 15, of Ft. Mitchell and a sophomore at Beechwood High School, is ready to complete her self-imposed mission to properly honor a local American Hero, PFC Edward H. Ahrens
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025

3. PFC Edward Henry Ahrens USMC KIA Gravestone
Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, Kentucky
Edward H. Ahrens
Kentucky
PFC US Marine Corps
World War II
Nov 4, 1919 – Aug 8, 1942
USMC KIA.

(Submitted on July 22, 2025.)

Additional commentary.
1. Citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Edward Henry Ahrens (358161), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion, during the landing assault and seizure of enemy Japanese-held Tulagi Island, British Solomon Islands, on the night of 7–8 August 1942. While a member of a security detachment protecting the right flank of his battalion, Private First Class Ahrens, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, single-handed engaged in hand-to-hand combat a group of the enemy attempting to infiltrate the rear of the battalion. Although mortally wounded, he succeeded in killing the officer in command of the hostile unit and two other Japanese, thereby breaking up the attack. His great personal valor and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the defense of his country.

— Submitted July 22, 2025.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.