Jerry
B Kennedy was a fighter pilot during WWII. He flew a FM2 Wildcat
with Air Squadron VC-97 while attached to the USS
Shipley Bay. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for
heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial
flight operations against Japanese held bases in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto. During the period 9 April 1945 to 18 May 1945 he
participated in twenty strikes against the enemy.
Jerry B. Kennedy's archive collection
includes this Air Squadron VC-97 Commissioning
photograph. Jerry has one of the few remaining Squadron VC-97
Farewell books he helped publish. This green felt covered book
has been scanned in high resolution and can be viewed by clicking on the
book page below.
Jerry B Kennedy's Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
Jerry B. Kennedy receiving the
Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight operations against Japanese held bases in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto.
Jerry B. Kennedy's artwork can be seen in the USS Shipley Bay News Buoys. The 21 July 1945 edition
was a farewell "Wave Off" edition to Air Squadron VC-97. All of the
sketches in this edition were provided by Jerry. The front cover is
shown above with Jerry's sketch of Mark Twain Whittier. Click [here]
to read the complete edition.
Jerry B Kennedy's
collection of photographs and documents have been archived in a digital
album. To view this album in separate album window [Click
Here]