Paul Wilkins Kendall

Lieutenant General Paul Wilkins Kendall (July 17, 1898 – October 3, 1983) was a senior United States Army officer who served during World War I, World War II and Korean War.

Paul Wilkins Kendall
BornJuly 17, 1898
Baldwin City, Kansas, United States
DiedOctober 3, 1983 (aged 85)
Palo Alto, California, United States
Buried
West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1918–1955
Rank Lieutenant General
Unit Infantry Branch
Commands held88th Infantry Division
2nd Infantry Division
VI Corps
I Corps
Allied Land Forces Southeastern Europe
Battles/warsSiberian Campaign
World War II
Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (3)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star (2)

Biography

Early life and military career

Kendall was born on July 17, 1898, in Baldwin City, Kansas, and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming. In 1916, during World War I (although the American entry into World War I did not occur until April 1917), he obtained an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, from which he graduated in November 1918, receiving his commission as a second lieutenant into the Infantry Branch of the United States Army. By the time he graduated, the war had come to an end with the signing of the Armistice.

Siberian Campaign

Kendall attended the Infantry School of Arms at Fort Benning, Georgia, from late 1918 to early 1919.

After completing his training, he was assigned to the 27th Infantry Regiment during the Siberian Campaign. Kendall participated in an action on January 10, 1920, for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Post-Siberian Campaign

Kendall carried out a variety of assignments in the 1920s and '30s, including a posting to Fort Logan, Colorado with the 38th Infantry Regiment in 1923 and served as an Instructor in the Department of English and History at the United States Military Academy from 1925 to 1930 and later at Northwestern Military and Naval Academy. Kendall also performed duty in China, Hawaii and the Philippines.

In 1936, Kendall graduated from the Command & General Staff College. In the early 1940s, he served in a staff assignment at the Office of the Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C.

World War II

At the start of World War II, Kendall was assigned as Chief of Staff of the 85th Infantry Division. He then served as Assistant Division Commander of the 84th Infantry Division, receiving a promotion to brigadier general.

From September 1944 to July 1945, Kendall was commander of the "Blue Devils" of the 88th Infantry Division and was promoted to major general. The division's second World War II commander, he led it during its assault through Italy, including the capture of Vicenza and Verona.

During the war, Kendall received the Silver Star for heroism on three occasions, two in 1944 and one in 1945.[1][2]

Post-World War II

From June 1946 to May 1948, Kendall was commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. He then served as commander of VI Corps at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

Korean War

In June 1952, Kendall became commander of I Corps, receiving promotion to lieutenant general. He led the corps as it manned a defensive line until the end of 1952. In January 1953, the corps took part in an offensive with troops of the 1st Republic of Korea (ROK) Division, attacking the enemy at Big Nori. Beginning in March, the North Koreans and Chinese continually attacked I Corps positions, and I Corps began a phased withdrawal that resulted in numerous enemy casualties. Kendall turned command of I Corps over to Bruce C. Clarke in April 1953.

Post-Korean War

After leaving I Corps, Kendall was assigned as Deputy Commanding General, US Army Forces Far East, in Manila, Philippines.

In 1954, Kendall was assigned as commander of Allied Land Forces Southeastern Europe in Izmir, Turkey, where he served until his 1955 retirement.

Personal life

General Kendall was married to Ruth Child Pistole (November 10, 1900 – January 29, 1985). They had two daughters, Jean and Elizabeth. Jean was the wife of Navy officer Neal D. Baumgardner and Elizabeth was the wife of Army officer Raymond O. Miller.

Retirement and death

Kendall retired to Palo Alto, California, where he died on October 3, 1983.[3] He was buried at West Point Cemetery, Section XXVI, Row A, Plot 3.[4]

Citation for Distinguished Service Cross

The official U.S. Army citation for Kendall's Distinguished Service Cross reads:

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 35 (1920)
Action Date: January 10, 1920
Name: Paul Wilkins Kendall
Service: Army
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: 27th Infantry
Division: American Expeditionary Forces (Siberia)
Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Paul W. Kendall, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with 27th Infantry, 33d Division, A.E.F. (Siberia), in action at Posolskaya, Siberia, 10 January 1920. Lieutenant Kendall was in command of a detachment of his company when attacked by an armored train at 1 a.m. The detachment under his leadership and inspired by his example attacked and disabled the armored train and caused its surrender.[5]

Ribbon bar

Here is his ribbon bar:
1st Row Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster
2nd Row Silver Star w/ two Oak Leaf Clusters Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart
3rd Row World War I Victory Medal w/ Siberia Clasp Army of Occupation of Germany Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal
4th Row European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/ one silver and two bronze service stars World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal
5th Row Korean Service Medal Commander of the Order of the Bath (United Kingdom) Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm
6th Row French Croix de guerre 1939–1945 with Palm Commander of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy) Czechoslovak War Cross 1918 United Nations Korea Medal
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References
  1. U.S. Army Adjutant General, Official Army Register, Volume 1, 1946, p. 374
  2. Steve Cole, History of the 88th 'Blue Devil' Division, retrieved November 20, 2013
  3. "memorial, Paul W. Kendall". apps.westpointaog.org/. West Point, NY: West Point Association of Graduates. 1984.
  4. Paul Wilkins Kendall at Find a Grave
  5. "Valor awards for Paul Wilkins Kendall - Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
Military offices
Preceded by
John E. Sloan		 Commanding General 88th Infantry Division
1944–1945		 Succeeded by
James C. Fry
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