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HONORED ON PANEL 17W, LINE 3 OF THE WALL
KENNETH EDWARD PENNINGTON
WALL NAME
KENNETH E PENNINGTON
PANEL / LINE
17W/3
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
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LEFT FOR KENNETH EDWARD PENNINGTON
POSTED ON 9.24.2013
POSTED BY: A Marine, USMC, Vietnam
Silver Star Citation
Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Kenneth Edward Pennington (MCSN: 2174010), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1969, First Lieutenant Pennington launched as Pilot of an AH-1G Cobra aircraft assigned to support emergency medical evacuation of seriously wounded men from a Marine unit which was heavily engaged with a large hostile force northwest of Liberty bridge in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated location, he learned that previous rescue attempts had been unsuccessful due to intense machine gun fire which had extensively damaged one helicopter and forced the pilot of a second CH-46 transport to abort his mission. As the pilot of the evacuation aircraft commenced a rapid low-level approach to the landing zone, his aircraft came under a heavy volume of enemy fire from two opposite directions. Repeatedly attacking the hostile positions, First Lieutenant Pennington, by his daring maneuvers and judicious utilizations of rocket fire, enabled the transport to complete its mission although both helicopters were hit by the hostile rounds. During two subsequent missions into the same dangerous area, he continued to disregard his own safety as he boldly executed skillful evasive maneuvers and accurately directed his rockets into firing emplacements manned by determined enemy soldiers, thereby ensuring the expeditious evacuation of critically injured men. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and saved the lives of numerous fellow Marines. By his courage, superior aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Pennington contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the vital mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: 21-Apr-69
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2)
Division: 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Kenneth Edward Pennington (MCSN: 2174010), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1969, First Lieutenant Pennington launched as Pilot of an AH-1G Cobra aircraft assigned to support emergency medical evacuation of seriously wounded men from a Marine unit which was heavily engaged with a large hostile force northwest of Liberty bridge in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated location, he learned that previous rescue attempts had been unsuccessful due to intense machine gun fire which had extensively damaged one helicopter and forced the pilot of a second CH-46 transport to abort his mission. As the pilot of the evacuation aircraft commenced a rapid low-level approach to the landing zone, his aircraft came under a heavy volume of enemy fire from two opposite directions. Repeatedly attacking the hostile positions, First Lieutenant Pennington, by his daring maneuvers and judicious utilizations of rocket fire, enabled the transport to complete its mission although both helicopters were hit by the hostile rounds. During two subsequent missions into the same dangerous area, he continued to disregard his own safety as he boldly executed skillful evasive maneuvers and accurately directed his rockets into firing emplacements manned by determined enemy soldiers, thereby ensuring the expeditious evacuation of critically injured men. His heroic actions and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and saved the lives of numerous fellow Marines. By his courage, superior aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, First Lieutenant Pennington contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the vital mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: 21-Apr-69
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2)
Division: 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
POSTED ON 8.17.2011
POSTED BY: Robert Sage
We Remember
Kenneth is buried at Maplewood Cemetery, Durham, Durham County,NC. SS DFC-GS AM-32GS NCM PH
