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How I got my appointment to West Point
My attempt to get into West Point spanned three years. At the age of ten I told my mother that I wanted to go to West Point and fly airplanes. Because my father was an active duty member I was allowed to take the entrance exams as soon as I was eligible. In those days you did not have to be a High School grad to enter. You just had to take and pass the exam and if not a HS grad take an American History test. During my junior year in HS I took the exams, passed, but did not score high enough to qualify. I did not feel I was learning anything in my local HS so enrolled in a local Prep school (Bullis-a prep school for Navy) This time I took the exams and my father and I visited over 300 congress men trying to get an appointment--no luck. My dad's home was Iowa and I was promised a principal appointment in the class of '56, but I didn't want to wait. I then went to 'Sullies' prep school in Washington DC and they told me to join the National Guard before July 3rd, because then I could be in the Guard for 1 year before entering WP and qualified to enter on a competitive appointment from the Guard. When I went to enlist in the Guard The Company Commander said to come back in mid July and they would enlist me at their Summer Camp!!I explained that I was going to West Point and the reason for joining the Guard before 3 July. The Commander immediately called in the 1st Sgt from home and I was in!!
The Guard had 75 appointments that year and thanks to 'Sullies' I was #3 so the rest is history. Each of the three years I took the WP exam, I also took the exam for Navy. Each year I passed and was offered an appoinment to Navy. As you know, I always turned them down. I almost missed out on the flying because initially I was physically disqualified because of a foot problem, but got a waiver and entered flight training. The CEO of the contract school I went to (Mission AB)was the father of one of my High School friends so that was not a problem!!
George Kennebeck-Fighter Pilot!!
27 July 2010
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George R Kennebeck '55
TAPS Memorial Article
(5 MAY 2011)
I was born in my dad's state (Iowa) at my dad's school (Univ. of Iowa) on dad's day-June 19 1932. My father came on active duty for WW1 having graduated from the ROTC Dental school at Iowa and made a career of the military retiring as the Dental Surgeon General of the Air Force. I grew up in the military and moved to Posts around the county and Panama. At the age of 10, I told my parents that I wanted to go to West Point and fly airplanes. I spent the next 8 years working toward that goal.
During my junior year in High School I realized that although I was enjoying playing football, basketball and band I was not getting the education that would get me into West Point so asked my parents to send me to Bullis Prep School in Silver Spring MD and I graduated in 1950. I failed to get an appointment that year after visiting over 300 Senators and Representatives. I then enlisted in the MD National Guard and became a truck driver in an Infantry Service company. The next year I took the entrance exam and won a National Guard competitive appointment.
At West Point I joined the Glee Club, played Lacrosse and shot on the pistol team. My roommates were Jim Drummond, Dave Gilpatrick, Dick White ex55, Bill Terrio and Dick Auer. At first I was physically disqualified to fly, but got a waver and entered flight training in Texas in August 1955. In December I went back east to Nyack NY and married Janet Nordhouse. I got my wings and reported to Bunker Hill AFB to fly the F-86 jet. Our daughter, Beth was born in Feb 1957. That unit closed in a year and I was transferred to Clovis AFB to fly the F-100. I was then transitioned into the B-47 and flew at Abilene TX and Plattsburg NY. While at Plattsburg we adopted our son Bob. My next assignment was as an operations officer in Taiwan. Completing that 3 year tour I went to Homestead AFB FL and flew the F-4. My Vietnam combat tour was at UBON AB Thailand and I flew 110 missions at night in the F-4.
I returned to the States to instruct in the F-4 and transition into the A-7. My next station was Alexandra AFB LA where I became a squadron commander. I was selected to attend the National War College and completed the year by also getting my Masters degree From George Washington U. After schooling I became the Director of Inspections for Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB Va. Following that two year tour I became the Director of Operations for the 8th Wing at Kunson AB Korea. Completing my remote tour I went to Germany to be the Vice Wing Commander of the 52nd Wing at Spangdalham AB and then Deputy Director of Logistics for USAFE. My final tour was as Director of Logistics 12th AF at Bergstrom AFB TX. I retired from the Air Force in August 1985 after 30 years of service at the rank of Col and built our retirement home outside Austin TX.
My retirement started as a bank manager with a branch which became Bank of America. After 9 years I retired from that job and went to work for the State of Texas in the Department of Transportation. After 5 years Jan and I decided I was ready for retirement and closed out my paid working career. In retirement I have continued singing with the church choir and SPEBSQSA (a 50 year barbershop member). I play golf once a week and made a car--a replica of a 1953 MGTD for parades and fun.
One other point of interest--In 1980 I was involved in the attempt to rescue the hostages that were being held in the Embassy area in Iran. I commanded a recovery base that was established in the dessert about 160 miles south of Cairo. A different type of assignment for someone who had flown airplanes all his career.
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Jan Kennebeck
I am very sad to report that Jan, wife of George Kennebeck (20455), died yesterday morning (Dec 20, 1914) in an Austin Nursing home. She had been in the nursing home for about 50 days, but was continuing to fail and eating very little. Jan had her breakfast yesterday morning and then took a nap. When George went in to check on her he found that she had peacefully passed on.
Please keep both Jan and George in your prayers. You can write to George at the following address:
George Kennebeck
13517 Overland Pass
Austin, TX 78738
In sadness... ~jackC
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