Kenneth Guynn Herring

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on August 29, 2004:

Kenneth Guynn Herring Born May 3, 1929 - Died May 9, 1998 Kenneth Guynn "Kenn" Herring was born in San Angelo, Texas on 3 May 1929 and was appointed to West Point from the 21st Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Kenn arrived at West Point complete with high-heeled boots that left little doubt as to his origin. Not a star man in the approved meaning of the word, Kenn's four years have been marked by continuous skirmishes with the Academic Department. These frays have not always been as easily won as his boxing bouts, but his industriousness has always put him on top, where we know he will remain." During his cadet days Kenn went out for Boxing all four years and won Numerals and a Minor 'A' in the sport; was with the Chapel Choir and the Glee Club plebe and yearling year; went out for Water Polo plebe year; was a Sunday School Teacher cow and first class years; and was a Company Supply Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Kenn went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to the 28th Infantry Regiment where he served from 1951 to 1952 as a Company Commander. Then he received orders to Korea with the 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division where he served until 1953 and was decorated with Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy; the Purple Heart for wounds in action against an enemy; and the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1957 Kenn was appointed Secretary, General Staff of the 18th Airborne Corps and he served in that capacity until 1958. From 1959 to 1960 Kenn was Company Commander with the 2/501 Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division; then he was assigned to Headquarters, Commander Arctic Test Center in Canada where he served until 1961. Kenn's next tour of duty was as Commandant of the NCO Academy and Battalion Headquarters, 11th Infantry a position he held from 1961 to 1963. In 1964 Kenn attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and on completion was assigned to Headquarters, 4th Army where he served until 1965 and was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1967 Kenn earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee and his next assignment was to the Office, Chief of Research & Development, Department of the Army where he served from 1967 to 1969 and was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Next Kenn went with the 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Republic of Vietnam where he served through 1969 and was decorated with the Combat Infantryman Badge, three Purple Hearts for wounds in action against an enemy, and two Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. On return to stateside Kenn was appointed Battalion Commander at Fort Ord, California where he served until 1971 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. Kenn's next assignment was to Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served from 1971 to 1972 and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1973 Kenn attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania and on completion was assigned to Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia and served there from 1973 to 1975. Kenn's last military assignment was to Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic where he served from 1975 to 1981 to complete a distinguished military career. Kenn retired from the United States Army as a Colonel. Kenn and his wife Estelle made their home in San Angelo, Texas where Kenn died on May 9, 1998. Quoting Estelle, "One thing that always fascinated me about Kenn was his determination to get a task done. He always said that he was too "dumb" not to know that he couldn't do something. He certainly had a scant amount of formal schooling before arriving at West Point. He graduated from high school when he was barely 15yrs old. He credits Fred Irving and Harry Lombard with getting him through his academic challenges. After he retired, he attended Texas A&M University where he completed all his class work for a PhD in management. He went on to work at A&M for several years. We moved back to San Angelo, our home town, to be with our families and for me to complete my nursing degree. Kenn did so well with the "role" change. He became a terrific cook, a pretty fair housekeeper, and a great tutor, chemistry was never my favorite thing. He even took care of the home front while I spent 2yrs in an internship at Scott & White Hospital 200 miles from home. During this time, he became a certified teacher in physics. He cared for my elderly parents, took the grandkids to school, dental appointments, music lessons, and athletic events. He was in demand by several volunteer organizations here in town. His illness never really slowed him down until the last week of his life. He walked from 3 to 5 miles a day up until the last month. How I miss his sense of humor and all the attention he showed on his family and friends. Kenn loved West Point very much for so many reasons. He was so proud to have been associated with the Corps. He would not have wanted to have lived his life any other way. I have been blessed by having been a part of the class activities and appreciate being included." (9/30/2000)

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