Command Sergeant Major Lawrence E. Kennedy served as sergeant major of several developmental aviation units. In those and other positions, he was able to be a champion of the Army’s enlisted aviation people. In 1963-64, he was stationed at Fort Benning, GA, when the 11th Air Assault Division (later the 1st Air Cavalry Division) was formed, and he was sergeant major of the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry of the 11th Air Assault Division. CSM Kennedy went from there to Vietnam with the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division.

When the 1st Aviation Brigade was organized in Vietnam, CSM Kennedy was assigned to it as brigade command sergeant major. He returned to the states and Fort Benning in 1966 and was command sergeant major of the Infantry School. On that assignment, and his next one in Germany as CSM of the 3rd Infantry Division, many of the soldiers Kennedy was responsible for were engaged in airmobility programs.

He went back to Vietnam in 1969 for a year as CSM of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). His next assignment involving aviation projects was at Fort Hood, TX, where he served as CSM of the III Corps. When he returned in 1975, Kennedy was CSM of the Fifth Army with headquarters at Fort Sheridan. In that position, many reserve aviation units were under his supervision.

The value of CSM Kennedy’s service to the Army and particularly to Army Aviation is measured by the four Legions of Merit and the 34 Air Medals he wears. Command Sergeant Major Kennedy retired from active duty at Fort Sam Houston, TX, June 1975.