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After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, William Kennedy transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1961 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War

    Action Date:

    August 17, 1943 – May 1945

    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 13217

    Colonel (Air Corps) William L. Kennedy (ASN: 0-17936), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German Forces after he was shot down and ditched in the Tyrrhenian Sea on 17 August 1943, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1958 – July 31, 1961

    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-113 (October 13, 1961)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Major General William L. Kennedy (AFSN: 0-517A/ASN: 0-17936), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility from 31 July 1958 to 31 July 1961. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Kennedy culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    War Department General Orders No. 86 (1945), No. 22 (1947), and 30 (1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) William L. Kennedy (AFSN: 0-517A/ASN: 0-17936), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Kennedy and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) William L. Kennedy (AFSN: 0-517A/ASN: 0-17936), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Kennedy and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.