Leland T. Kennedy
Leland Thornton Kennedy | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Lee |
Born | Louisville, Kentucky, US | January 1, 1934
Died | December 28, 2003 Yorktown, Virginia, US | (aged 69)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1955–1985 |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Air Force Cross (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Meritorious Service Medal (3) Air Medal (6) |
In his second Vietnam tour, he distinguished himself as a
Kennedy also received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and numerous other medals and campaign ribbons during his career.
After 30 years of service, Kennedy retired at
Education and family
From Kennedy's obituary:[2]
Leland (Lee) Thornton Kennedy, age 69, of
Air Force ROTC and Kappa Sigmafraternity. After retirement, Kennedy served his community as a member of the York/Poquoson Social Service Board, and served as Chairman of that organization for three years. In addition, he incorporated his interest in woodworking and miniature ship building into his own business, "Why Knot", for many years. In recent years, Kennedy joined his love of family and his interest in history by researching the genealogical history of his family. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving bride of almost 50 years, Harriet June, as well as three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Burial ... in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Air Force career
Kennedy was commissioned through the
He was next assigned to the
In April 1965, still part of the airborne early warning force, Kennedy, now a captain and aircraft commander, was one of several crews of the 552nd AEWCW to be sent to
Upon completion of his temporary duty in Vietnam, Kennedy completed upgrade training to the
Second Southeast Asia tour
Kennedy was stationed at
5 October 1966
On his eighth mission, and operating from a forward location at
The rescue location was 300 miles distant inside North Vietnam, in a
Kennedy had not yet performed a combat rescue and so received assignment as Jolly High, while Jolly Green 36, piloted by Capt. Oliver Edward O'Mara Jr, was tasked to make the recovery.In the rescue area two A-1 Sandys, after several strafing runs to drive off approaching troops, drew no fire on a final low pass over the area.[1] O'Mara crested a ridgeline into the canyon and lowered his hoist to pick up the F-4's aircraft commander, Tempest 03A, with whom he was in radio communication. His helicopter was immediately hit from above by small arms fire, forcing O'Mara to pull out. Tempest 03A on his last transmission radioed that he had been hit in the chest.[6][n 4] O'Mara made two further rescue attempts in the badly damaged HH-3E before his hoist was knocked out, forcing him to return to base. O'Mara was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1969 for his efforts.[1]
Common procedure was that the secondary helicopter escorted a heavily damaged primary helicopter back to base, but Kennedy was asked to return to continue the pickup attempts of the F-4 backseater, Tempest 03B, Kennedy's first actual attempt at combat rescue.[1] On the first try, his aircraft was hit and both enlisted men slightly wounded.[8] The HH-3E was driven off by fire four times, taking more battle damage on each pass. Despite deteriorating weather conditions, a rupture in their forward fuel tank, and smoke in the aircraft, Kennedy's three crewmen joined him in wanting to try again.[1][8] In the poor weather, Williamson noted that better reference points were on the left side of the aircraft and urged that Lt. Harris conduct the hover.[8]
On the fifth attempt, hearing gunfire but not struck, the crew dropped the hoist and reeled in Tempest 03B, 1st Lt. Edward W. Garland,[9] whose parachute filled with rotor wash and nearly entangled the rotors.[8] Kennedy exfiltrated the area at low level, with the ridgetops above them concealed by lowering clouds. Below minimum fuel levels needed to return to Udorn, he flew Jolly Green 04 to Lima Site 36, a forward operating location at Na Khang, Laos. Kennedy was recommended for the Air Force Cross and his crew members each received the Silver Star for the rescue .[10]
20 October 1966
Fifteen days later, on the morning of 20 October, Kennedy launched as Jolly Green 36 (high) on a CSAR with Jolly Green 02 (low), flown by Major Adrian D. Youngblood, to recover another 433rd TFS F-4C crew, that of Avenger 03,[11] shot down in Laos southwest of Đồng Hới, North Vietnam. His crew this mission[n 5] consisted of RCCP 1st Lt. Elmer C. Lavender, HM SSgt. Raymond Godsey, and PJ A1C Robert J. Ward.[12]
Both F-4 crewmen had landed in trees. Their wingmen had remained in the area, making repeated low level passes without a gun or
Orbiting overhead, Kennedy had been unable to see the action because of thickening clouds.[11] He descended, and after observing a village next to the clearing Youngblood had spotted, directed Jolly Green 02 to a field a half mile away. Aboard Jolly Green 36, Lt. Lavender jettisoned its external fuel tanks and dumped fuel to compensate for the added weight of Youngblood's crew and the F-4 pilot.[12] On the ground about 25 yards from the other helicopter, Kennedy continued dumping fuel with his engines running and rotor turning, despite the risk of explosive vapors.[1][12]
The crew of Jolly Green 02 and the wounded F-4 pilot ran to board Kennedy's aircraft under fire, during which both enlisted crewmen of JG 02 were also wounded. Carrying nine men, Kennedy performed a "maximum performance" liftoff.
16 February 1967
Kennedy's unit was redesignated as Detachment 1,
On 16 February 1967, Dusty 71, an
Jolly Green 56 located Buzze and attempted to hover for pickup but was struck repeatedly from three sides by automatic weapons fire, killing the RCC, Capt. Angelo Pullara, and wounding the RCCP Capt. Jerrold D. Ward. Led by Jolly Green 07 and assisted on the controls by the flight engineer, Ward flew the stricken helicopter to an emergency landing at nearby Saravane. After the aborted pickup, Buzze moved approximately a kilometer out of the area while A-1s continued efforts to suppress the AAA fire. Jollys 36 and 37 arrived on scene and the on-scene commander again authenticated Buzze's identity and new location. Kennedy then attempted a pickup, but like Jolly Green 56, was struck repeatedly in the hover, damaging a fuel cell and the aft portion of the aircraft, forcing him to return to base. After further suppression runs by the Sandys, Jolly Green 37 made a third attempt and successfully picked up Buzze more than four hours after his shoot-down. For his role in the mission, Kennedy was awarded the Silver Star.[17]
Subsequent career
"Kennedy flew 99 missions in
At the conclusion of his SEA tour, Kennedy was assigned as a CH-3E pilot with the 1042nd Test Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, from August 1967 to July 1970; and with the 5040th Helicopter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, from July 1970 to July 1972. From July 1972 to June 1975 he was on staff at the Headquarters, Alaskan Command. Kennedy served as Assistant Director Region Control Center with the 21st Air Division at Hancock Field, New York, from August 1975 to September 1976, followed by duty as Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations of the 602nd Tactical Air Control Wing at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, from October 1976 to October 1978. He returned to Elmendorf AFB and served with Headquarters, Alaskan Air Command and as commander of the 531st Aircraft Control and Warning Group (re-designated 11th Tactical Control Group in 1981) from October 1978 to December 1982. His final assignments were as Deputy Director and then Director, Operational Plans and Support in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, from December 1982 until his retirement from the Air Force on 1 October 1985.[3][n 9]
Awards and decorations
Command Pilot
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Air Force Cross (w/ oak leaf cluster) | Silver Star | ||||||||||
Legion of Merit | Distinguished Flying Cross[n 10] | Meritorious Service Medal (three awards) | |||||||||
Air Medal (w/ five oak leaf clusters) | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Air Force Commendation Medal | |||||||||
Presidential Unit Citation | Combat "V" for Valor, four awards)
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
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Combat Readiness Medal (two awards) | National Defense Service Medal (two awards) | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | |||||||||
Vietnam Service Medal (w/ three campaign stars) | Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon | Air Force Longevity Service Award (w/ six oak leaf clusters)
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross (unit award)
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Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
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Citations
AFC first award
- Captain Leland T. Kennedy
- Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-68 (February 16, 1967)
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Leland Thornton Kennedy (AFSN: 0-65194), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 5 October 1966. On that date, Captain Kennedy, flying as pilot of an unarmed HH-3E rescue helicopter, proceeded deep into hostile territory in attempts to rescue two downed American pilots. Disregarding his own safety, he voluntarily flew through heavy automatic weapons and intense small arms fire to reach the injured airmen. Captain Kennedy succeeded in rescuing one of the downed American; however, heavy ground fire forced him from the area before he could reach the other one. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Kennedy reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.[18]
AFC second award
- Captain Leland T. Kennedy
- Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-156 (May 9, 1967)
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Cross to Captain Leland Thornton Kennedy (AFSN: 0-65194), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a HH-3E Helicopter Pilot in Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 20 October 1966. On that date, Captain Kennedy successfully recovered six downed American airmen. Despite the intense, accurately directed, hostile fire which damaged his own unarmed rescue helicopter, Captain Kennedy, with indomitable courage and professional skill, chose to land next to a disabled companion helicopter and retrieve the crew, plus a previously rescued wounded F-4C pilot. With undaunted determination, Captain Kennedy, then amid hostile fire, sought and successfully recovered the second downed F-4C pilot. This event added luster to the chronicles of heroism recorded in Air Force annals and brought further credit to Captain Kennedy's ability to ignore danger while engaged in the rescue of others. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Kennedy reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.[18]
Silver Star Award
- Captain Leland T. Kennedy
- Seventh Air Force, Special Order G-140 (May 15, 1967)
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Leland Thornton Kennedy (AFSN: 0-65194), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an HH-3E Rescue Helicopter of Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia, on 16 February 1967. On that date, Captain Kennedy, as Rescue Crew Commander of an unarmed HH-3E helicopter, assumed primary recovery responsibility on a downed pilot when another helicopter experienced extensive battle damage and loss of personnel. Without regard for his personal safety and concerned only with saving the life of the survivor, Captain Kennedy committed his aircraft into a box canyon heavily defended by automatic weapons and small arms fire. As he approached a hover near the position of the downed airman, heavy fire raked the aircraft until fuel exhaustion made it necessary to return to a recovery base. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Kennedy has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.[18]
Notes
- Footnotes
- ^ Jolly High had as its primary role the recovery of Jolly Green aircrew and passengers, with a secondary mission of replacing Jolly Low in pickup attempts if necessary.
- ^ Some sources, notably LaPointe, list this aircraft as "Jolly Green 02". However jollygreen.org, a website maintained by former SEA rescue crew members and researchers at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, identifies it as "Jolly Green 04" and 66-13290. 66-13290 was placed in storage in 1991 at AMARC on behalf of the National Air and Space Museum, but since August 2007 has been restored and displayed at the Francis S. Gabreski Airport on Long Island.
- ^ Per POW Network entry, SSgt. Hall went missing in action on 6 February 1967, when his HH-3E was shot down in North Vietnam.
- ^ Per POW Network entry Tempest 03A, the aircraft commander Capt. William Richard Andrews of the 433rd TFS, was killed in action.
- ^ This helicopter to date has not been documented by serial number. An 8TFW web source lists it as 65-12785, which was the helicopter deliberately crash-landed into Sơn Tây prison on November 20, 1970.
- ^ Major Breckenridge reported that his wingman, out of ordnance, dropped wing fuel tanks and lit his afterburner in treetop attempts to simulate an attack on the enemy.
- ^ This was the former designation of the HC-130s of the 37th ARRS, which had become the separate 39th ARRS at Udorn in a realignment of units by aircraft type. Thereafter the 37th ARRS consisted of only HH-3E Jolly Greens, the 38th ARRS controlled only HH-43 "Pedro" detachments, and the new 39th ARRS operated the rescue variant of the Hercules.
- Duane Hackney. Capt. O'Mara in JG 36, the high bird, rescued Hackney.
- the Grenada evacuationand successful recovery of a United States merchant ship from Cuban waters."
- ^ The DFC award was for a voluntary night SAR in adverse weather on February 22, 1967.
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Frisbee, "Valor: A Tale of Two Crosses"
- ^ a b (Newport News, Virginia) Daily Press, December 30, 2003.
- ^ a b c d "Leland T. Kennedy". Veteran Tributes. 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
- ^ Davis (1999), pp. 24–25
- ^ "Notable H-3 Helicopters". jollygreen.org. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ a b LaPointe (2000), p. 234
- ^ "e-mail by Col. Lacy W. Breckenridge May 23, 2003". B-66 "Destroyer". Archived from the original on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ a b c d LaPointe (2000), p. 238.
- ^ LaPointe (2000), p. 236.
- ^ LaPointe (2000), p. 239.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Photostat copy of mission report of Jolly Green 02, Maj. A.D. Youngblood" (PDF). PJ's in Vietnam. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
- ^ a b c d LaPointe (2000), p. 242.
- ^ a b Breckenridge, Col. Lacy W. (2004). "The Rest of the Story". USAF Air and Space Power Journal. XVIII (4): 12. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ a b LaPointe (2000), P. 243.
- ^ Tilford (1980), p. 81
- ^ Correll, "A Habit of Heroism"
- ^ a b LaPointe (2000), pp. 292–296
- ^ a b c "Leland Thornton Kennedy". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
References
- Davis, Larry (1999). "USAF Search & Rescue Part 2", Wings of Fame Volume 14, Aerospace Publishing Ltd, London. ISBN 1-86184-029-2
- LaPointe, Robert L. (2000). PJs in Vietnam: The Story of Air Rescue in Vietnam as Seen Through the Eyes of Pararescuemen, Northern PJ Press. ISBN 0-9708671-0-7
- Tilford, Earl H. Jr. (1980). Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia, 1961–1975. Office of Air Force History/CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1-4775-4743-4.
- Correll, John T. (2010). "A Habit of Heroism". AIR FORCE Magazine. 93 (January). Retrieved 19 May 2013.
- Frisbee, John (1992). "Valor: A Tale of Two Crosses". AIR FORCE Magazine. 75 (February). Retrieved 2 February 2009.