Leland T. Kennedy
Colonel Leland Thornton "Lee" Kennedy (January 1, 1934 – December 28, 2003) was a career officer and pilot in the United States Air Force, and a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. Kennedy flew the EC-121 Warning Star during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and later served two tours of duty in Vietnam.
Leland Thornton Kennedy
Lee
January 1, 1934
Louisville, Kentucky, US
December 28, 2003 (aged 69)
Yorktown, Virginia, US
United States
1955–1985
In his second Vietnam tour, he distinguished himself as a combat search and rescue helicopter pilot, twice awarded the Air Force Cross in 1966 for actions occurring 15 days apart in which his crew, while under intense fire, rescued seven airmen who had been shot down in enemy territory.[1] Kennedy is one of only four airmen to receive multiple awards of the Air Force Cross.
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 Langley AFB, Hampton, Virginia, in 1985.[2]