Kenneth D. Zumwalt; Edited Stars and Stripes

Kenneth D. Zumwalt, a former civilian managing editor of the Stars and Stripes who authored a book on his wartime experiences with the military newspaper, has died at his San Diego home. He was 78.

A retired assistant managing editor and Sunday editor of the San Diego Union, Zumwalt died in his sleep Wednesday of natural causes. Funeral services are pending.

Zumwalt got his first newspaper job as an office boy at the Sacramento Union in 1938, four years before he enlisted in the Army. In 1944 he was assigned to be a copy editor for the Paris edition of the Stars and Stripes, the unofficial newspaper of the U.S. armed forces in Europe.

He later worked on editions of the Stars and Stripes in Belgium, France and Germany.

Zumwalt spent many years writing his book of wartime experiences. “The Stars and Stripes: World War II and the Early Years” was published in 1989.

Earlier this year, Zumwalt traveled to Germany to attend the 50th anniversary celebration for the Stars and Stripes.

Survivors include his wife, Paulette, sons Richard and Roger, daughter Sherie Freemuth and two grandchildren.