U.S. Army General. He began his military career graduating from the U.S. Military Academy as an artillery officer in 1939. During World War II, he fought in North Africa, France and coordinated the massed artillery barrage that helped Allied forces make a successful landing at Anzio during the Italian Campaign of 1944. After the war, he held positions in intelligence, to include the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico in 1953 and chief coordinator for the transportation of nuclear weapons. Promoted Brigadier General in 1961, he was stationed in Germany as the officer responsible for nuclear targeting in Europe. During the Vietnam War, he was a Major General, serving as Military Assistance Command Chief of Staff, 1967 to 1969. In 1971, he was promoted Lieutenant General and appointed the Deputy Personnel Chief at the Pentagon. While in position, he was credited as the architect for a policy that ended the draft and led to the creation of an all-volunteer Army in 1973. Named the Army's Vice Chief of Staff in 1974, he was promoted a full four star General and under his leadership, recognized for creating the indispensable role of the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve as equal partners with the active Army in executing defense policies in preparing for war. After retiring from the Army in 1978, General Kerwin continued to work for the Department of Defense as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association. In 2003, he received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Association of Graduates, West Point. His decorations included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three awards of the Army's Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
U.S. Army General. He began his military career graduating from the U.S. Military Academy as an artillery officer in 1939. During World War II, he fought in North Africa, France and coordinated the massed artillery barrage that helped Allied forces make a successful landing at Anzio during the Italian Campaign of 1944. After the war, he held positions in intelligence, to include the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico in 1953 and chief coordinator for the transportation of nuclear weapons. Promoted Brigadier General in 1961, he was stationed in Germany as the officer responsible for nuclear targeting in Europe. During the Vietnam War, he was a Major General, serving as Military Assistance Command Chief of Staff, 1967 to 1969. In 1971, he was promoted Lieutenant General and appointed the Deputy Personnel Chief at the Pentagon. While in position, he was credited as the architect for a policy that ended the draft and led to the creation of an all-volunteer Army in 1973. Named the Army's Vice Chief of Staff in 1974, he was promoted a full four star General and under his leadership, recognized for creating the indispensable role of the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve as equal partners with the active Army in executing defense policies in preparing for war. After retiring from the Army in 1978, General Kerwin continued to work for the Department of Defense as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association. In 2003, he received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Association of Graduates, West Point. His decorations included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three awards of the Army's Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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