Biography
William L. Kenly was born on February 18, 1864, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Major William L. and Marion (Hook) Kenly. His father participated in the United States Civil War. His immigrant ancestor was his great great grandfather Rev. Daniel Kenly who emigrated from Scotland to Maryland in the 1700s.
He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, 12 June 1898, in field artillery and took part on August 16, 1899 in the Battle of Angeles, in the Pampanga Province during the Philippine-American War.
On September 3, 1917, Brigadier General Kenly became the first Chief of Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France, effectively taking control away from the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps. Previously a field artillery commander, he did not have experience leading an air force, and Billy Mitchell wielded a large amount of influence in the AEF's operational decisions. Kenly was replaced a short time later by Brig. Gen. Benjamin Foulois. Kenly then returned to the United States to become Director of Military Aeronautics from May 20, 1918 to August 28, 1918. During this period, he was the titular head of the newly-established United States Army Air Service. He retired in 1919 and King George of Great Britain awarded Kenly the honor of Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Kenly died of a heart attack on January 10, 1928. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
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