| Paul Wilkins Kendall | |
|---|---|
Paul W. Kendall |
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| Born | July 17, 1898 Baldwin City, Kansas |
| Died | October 3, 1983 (aged 85) Palo Alto, California |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1918–1955 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 88th Infantry Division 2nd Infantry Division VI Corps I Corps Allied Land Forces Southeastern Europe |
| Battles/wars | Siberian Camaign World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
Paul Wilkins Kendall was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army.
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Kendall was born on July 17, 1898 in Baldwin City, Kansas and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1918, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.
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 Camaign. Kendall participated in an action on January 10, 1920, for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross.
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 instructor assignments at the United States Military Academy and 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.
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 promotion to Brigadier General.
From September 1944 to July 1945 Kendall was commander of the "Blue Devils" of the 88th Infantry Division, receiving promotion 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.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, Kendall’s other decorations included multiple awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, including three for World War II, three awards of the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
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.
Kendall retired to Palo Alto, California, where he died on October 3, 1983.
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 Regiment, 33rd 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.
Name: Kendall, Paul W. Service: Army Rank: Second Lieutenant Order: War Department, General Orders No. 35 (1920)