William L. Kenly
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William Lacy Kenly (February 18, 1864 – January 10, 1928) was a major general in the United States Army. During World War I, he was a leader of the United States Army Air Service, the progenitor of the United States Air Force.<ref name=obit/>
Early life
William L. Kenly was born on February 18, 1864, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Major William L. Kenly and Marion Hook. His father participated in the American Civil War. His immigrant ancestor was his great great grandfather Rev. Daniel Kenly who emigrated from Scotland to Maryland in the 1700s.<ref name=khaki>Template:Cite book</ref> Kenly was married to Julie Closson, the daughter of Brigadier General Henry W. Closson.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Military career
He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, 12 June 1889, in field artillery and took part on August 16, 1899, in the Battle of Angeles, in the Pampanga Province during the Philippine–American War.<ref>Philippine-American War, 1899–1902 by Arnaldo Dumindin</ref><ref name=khaki/>
On September 3, 1917, Brigadier General Kenly became the first Chief of Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France, effectively taking control away from the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps. Previously a field artillery commander, he did not have experience leading an air force, and General Billy Mitchell wielded a large amount of influence in the AEF's operational decisions. Kenly was replaced a short time later by Brig. Gen. Benjamin Foulois.
Kenly then returned to the United States to become Director of Military Aeronautics from May 20, 1918, to August 28, 1918.<ref name=khaki/> During this period, he was the titular head of the newly established United States Army Air Service. He retired in 1919 and King George of Great Britain awarded Kenly the honor of Companion of the Order of the Bath.<ref>The Los Angeles Times, KING GEORGE HONORS OFFICER WE OUSTED, Apr 17, 1919, page 1.</ref>
Death
Kenly died of a heart attack on January 10, 1928, in Washington, D.C.<ref name=obit>Template:Cite news</ref> He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
References
External links
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- United States Army generals of World War I
- American military personnel of the Philippine–American War
- Military aviation leaders of World War I
- United States Army Air Forces generals
- 19th-century United States Army personnel
- 1864 births
- 1928 deaths
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Military personnel from Baltimore
- United States Military Academy alumni
- United States Army Field Artillery Branch personnel