View a eulogy for Kennard Ellsworth Gillihan, USMA '70, who passed away on January 29, 1971.
Kennard Ellsworth Gillihan
West Point, 1970
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Allan Rowe on January 30, 2021:
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Ken died 50 years ago yesterday. FIFTY! Years! Yesterday I had a prayer for Ken and all my classmates in Ranger Class 501, especially those who are no longer with us. I didn't know Ken but I was on that drop with him. We departed Benning to begin our last phase of Ranger School. We jumped onto Hurlburt Field at Elgin AFB and had no idea of the conditions. I exited the aircraft and looked up after 3 long seconds to be sure I had a good chute, then looked down and hit the ground. That quick. Lot of downdrafts which caused many casualties and Ken's death. When we all regrouped in our section, our TAC had us all take a knee, and he told us about Ken. Rest, Brother Ranger. I wish I knew you in this life, Ken. |
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