Thomas Kenan Major General Thomas A. Kenan Dob: October 10, 1917 in Atlanta, GA Dod: November 27, 2004 in Monterey, CA) CARMEL – Major General Kenan, aged 87, died at the Hospice of the Central Coast on November 28th after prolonged illness. A native of Atlanta, Ga. he was graduated from The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina in 1939 with a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of the Regular Army in Sept. 1st of that year and entered active duty immediately. He served for six years in the 4th Infantry, 22nd Infantry Division in various assignments including Battalion Commander, Regimental S3 and Division G-3. During WWII, he participated in the initial landing on Utah Beach in Normandy and commanded the 2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry, during operations in the Hurtgen Forest. After the war, he attended Ohio State University, where he earned a Master’s Degree and a Doctor’s Degree in Organization and Management. In 1951, he was assigned to the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe (SHAPE), in Paris, France, where he served for two years. General Kenan attended the Infantry School, the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, the Army War College and others military schools. Among other assignments, he served as Commanding Officer, First Battle Group, 11th Infantry, Chief of Staff Second Infantry Division; Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, Eighth U.S. Army in Korea; Division Chief, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Internal Security Affairs; Staff Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, For Personnel, Department of the Army; and Deputy Chief, Office of Reserve Components, Department of Army. In June 1967, General Kenan assumed command of Fort Ord, which also included the Presidio of Monterey, Camp Roberts, and the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation. He continued that assignment until his retirement from the Army in July 1969 After his retirement from the Army, General Kenan accepted a position with Monterey County and continued his association with the County until his second retirement in the fall of 1983. During that period he occupied a number of positions, including Administrative Assistant to the District Attorney and Director of Health Services. He also served for shorter periods of time as the Hospital Administrator, Natividad Medical Center, as Assistant County Administrative Officer, and as County Administrative Officer. General Kenan military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Belgian Fouragere, and the Republic of Korea Ulchi Distinguished Service Medal with Silver Star. His Service Medals include theAmerican Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Service Medal, the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and the National Defense Service Medal. He was also authorized to wear the National Staff identification Badge and the Secretary of Defense identification Badge. General Kenan is a member of the Society of the Sigma Xi and of Tau Beta Pi. He was an honorary member of the Monterey Rotary Club and served as Vice-president of the Carmel Foundation in Carmel, as Treasurer of the World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area, and a member of the Board of the Friends of the Harrison Memorial Library. General Kenan is survived by Lucette, his wife of 50 years, his daughter Dominique Hutches, and granddaughters Katie, Rachel and Sarah. At his request there will be no memorial service. Memorial donations can be made to: Carmel Public Library Foundation PO box 2042 Carmel, CA 93921-2042
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