Capt. Brian T. Kennedy (USNA '07)
Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, of Malvern was one of 12 Marines killed Jan. 14 when two helicopters collided in the air off the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
The CH-53E helicopters, attached to the First Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, were on a routine night training mission when something went wrong just before midnight local time.
Neither aircraft issued a distress call, although a man walking on the beach reported a fireball over the ocean. The collision was under investigation. The remains of nine of the 12 were recovered for return to their families.
"Our appreciation goes out for the very exhaustive search and recovery effort that ended last week," said William Kennedy, Capt. Kennedy's father.
In addition to Capt. Kennedy, another Pennsylvania man was among the dead: Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, of Gardners, Adams County.
President Obama said in a statement issued Jan. 22 that the country was grateful for the service and sacrifice of the 12 Marines.
"The willingness of our troops to complete dangerous training to prepare for any mission our nation asks of them will not be forgotten," the president said.
Capt. Kennedy was a member of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 "Pegasus," based in Hawaii.
He earned his commission in May 2007 upon graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. He began his aviation career as a CH-46E pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 "Purple Foxes" in California.
He was deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Following his tour with HMM-364, Capt. Kennedy converted to the CH-53E and joined HMH-463 in Hawaii, where his assignments included a deployment to Australia.
A native of Malvern, Capt. Kennedy excelled in both academics and athletics at Conestoga High School. He was a natural leader with unwavering integrity, known for his kindness and strength as well as his passion for service, his family said in a tribute.
When asked why he wanted to fly the mammoth "Super Stallion" helicopters, he told his family that they were the first to respond when help was needed, whether bringing aid into ravaged, inaccessible locations or lifting out troops and equipment.
Capt. Kennedy was remembered as an upstanding Marine whom others hoped to emulate, but also at times a fun-loving goofball.
He loved his family and friends, and made everyone feel welcome, respected, and appreciated.
"He was also a Marine who held himself to the highest standards and expected the same from those around him," his family said.
Besides his father, he is survived by his wife of 11 months, Maj. Paige Stull Kennedy, a Marine stationed in Pensacola, Fla.; his mother, Linda Kennedy; and a sister, Caitlin Kennedy.
Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, of Malvern was one of 12 Marines killed Jan. 14 when two helicopters collided in the air off the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
The CH-53E helicopters, attached to the First Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, were on a routine night training mission when something went wrong just before midnight local time.
Neither aircraft issued a distress call, although a man walking on the beach reported a fireball over the ocean. The collision was under investigation. The remains of nine of the 12 were recovered for return to their families.
"Our appreciation goes out for the very exhaustive search and recovery effort that ended last week," said William Kennedy, Capt. Kennedy's father.
In addition to Capt. Kennedy, another Pennsylvania man was among the dead: Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, of Gardners, Adams County.
President Obama said in a statement issued Jan. 22 that the country was grateful for the service and sacrifice of the 12 Marines.
"The willingness of our troops to complete dangerous training to prepare for any mission our nation asks of them will not be forgotten," the president said.
Capt. Kennedy was a member of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 "Pegasus," based in Hawaii.
He earned his commission in May 2007 upon graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. He began his aviation career as a CH-46E pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 "Purple Foxes" in California.
He was deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Following his tour with HMM-364, Capt. Kennedy converted to the CH-53E and joined HMH-463 in Hawaii, where his assignments included a deployment to Australia.
A native of Malvern, Capt. Kennedy excelled in both academics and athletics at Conestoga High School. He was a natural leader with unwavering integrity, known for his kindness and strength as well as his passion for service, his family said in a tribute.
When asked why he wanted to fly the mammoth "Super Stallion" helicopters, he told his family that they were the first to respond when help was needed, whether bringing aid into ravaged, inaccessible locations or lifting out troops and equipment.
Capt. Kennedy was remembered as an upstanding Marine whom others hoped to emulate, but also at times a fun-loving goofball.
He loved his family and friends, and made everyone feel welcome, respected, and appreciated.
"He was also a Marine who held himself to the highest standards and expected the same from those around him," his family said.
Besides his father, he is survived by his wife of 11 months, Maj. Paige Stull Kennedy, a Marine stationed in Pensacola, Fla.; his mother, Linda Kennedy; and a sister, Caitlin Kennedy.
Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, of Malvern was one of 12 Marines killed Jan. 14 when two helicopters collided in the air off the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
The CH-53E helicopters, attached to the First Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, were on a routine night training mission when something went wrong just before midnight local time.
Neither aircraft issued a distress call, although a man walking on the beach reported a fireball over the ocean. The collision was under investigation. The remains of nine of the 12 were recovered for return to their families.
"Our appreciation goes out for the very exhaustive search and recovery effort that ended last week," said William Kennedy, Capt. Kennedy's father.
In addition to Capt. Kennedy, another Pennsylvania man was among the dead: Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, of Gardners, Adams County.
President Obama said in a statement issued Jan. 22 that the country was grateful for the service and sacrifice of the 12 Marines.
"The willingness of our troops to complete dangerous training to prepare for any mission our nation asks of them will not be forgotten," the president said.
Capt. Kennedy was a member of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 "Pegasus," based in Hawaii.
He earned his commission in May 2007 upon graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. He began his aviation career as a CH-46E pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 "Purple Foxes" in California.
He was deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Following his tour with HMM-364, Capt. Kennedy converted to the CH-53E and joined HMH-463 in Hawaii, where his assignments included a deployment to Australia.
A native of Malvern, Capt. Kennedy excelled in both academics and athletics at Conestoga High School. He was a natural leader with unwavering integrity, known for his kindness and strength as well as his passion for service, his family said in a tribute.
When asked why he wanted to fly the mammoth "Super Stallion" helicopters, he told his family that they were the first to respond when help was needed, whether bringing aid into ravaged, inaccessible locations or lifting out troops and equipment.
Capt. Kennedy was remembered as an upstanding Marine whom others hoped to emulate, but also at times a fun-loving goofball.
He loved his family and friends, and made everyone feel welcome, respected, and appreciated.
"He was also a Marine who held himself to the highest standards and expected the same from those around him," his family said.
Besides his father, he is survived by his wife of 11 months, Maj. Paige Stull Kennedy, a Marine stationed in Pensacola, Fla.; his mother, Linda Kennedy; and a sister, Caitlin Kennedy.
Capt Kennedy earned his commission in May 2007 upon graduation from the US Naval Academy. He began his aviation career as a CH-46E pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 “Purple Foxes” in California, from where he deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Following his tour with HMM-364, Capt Kennedy converted to the CH-53E and joined HMH-463 in Hawaii, where his assignments included a deployment to Australia.
Growing up in Malvern, PA, Brian excelled in both academics and athletics at Conestoga High School. A natural leader with unwavering integrity, Brian was known for his kindness and strength as well as his passion for service. When asked why he wanted to fly the enormous “Super Stallion” helicopters, Brian explained that they were the first in line when help was needed, whether bringing aid into ravaged, inaccessible locations or lifting out troops and equipment.
Brian is remembered as an upstanding Marine whom others hoped to emulate, a fun-loving goofball who loved family and friends, and a man who made everyone feel welcomed, respected, and appreciated. He was also a Marine who held himself to the highest standards and expected the same from those around him.
Capt Kennedy leaves behind his beloved wife of 11 months, Major Paige (nee Stull) Kennedy, USMC, currently stationed in Pensacola FL, parents William and Linda Kennedy and sister Caitlin Kennedy of Malvern, PA. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.
