Kennedy, Wilbur D.
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1893-1943
Wilbur D. Kennedy was born August 6, 1893 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Mary and James Kennedy.
Wilbur D. Kennedy originally enlisted in the infantry on May 14, 1917 at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. He
was sent to aviation ground school at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and graduated in August.
Kennedy was assigned to the 12th Aero Squadron of the Signal Reserve Corps Aviation Section as a 1st
Lieutenant in late 1917 and shipped out to Europe shortly thereafter. The 12th Aero Squadron participated
in the second battle of the Marne in July 1918. After the war, Kennedy remained in the area of the French
and German border. He was commissioned a temporary captain in April 1919. Kennedy was sent home in
June and honorably discharged, still a captain, in July.
After his return, Kennedy owned a women's clothing store in Champaign, Illinois. He died November 27,
1943.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Wilbur D. Kennedy Collection
Collection
Identifier: 2014-06-04
Abstract
Wilbur D. Kennedy, 1893-1943, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and served as a pilot in the 12th Aero Squadron during World War I. Collection contains photographs, correspondence, military records, and other assorted materials relating to his World War I service.