Retired Gen. William “Buck” F Kernan, former Allied Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander – Atlantic, former commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at his home in Pinehurst. He was 79.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Marianne Purnell Kernan, parents Col. William (Bill) Freese Kernan (Ret.), an infantryman who landed in Normandy, and Florence “Suzy” White Kernan, a World War II Army nurse.
He is survived by his son, William Keith Kernan, of Aberdeen; and siblings, Michael Kernan, of San Antonio, Texas, Susan “Suzy” Kernan Lowery, of Hampton, Va., James Kernan, of Whispering Pines; brothers-in-law, Thomas, of Woodbridge, Va., and John Purnell and his wife, Anne, of Pinehurst.
Kernan was a track star in high school at St. John’s Military Academy, in Washington, D.C., and held the record in the DC metro area for the 100-yard dash, receiving a full scholarship to Texas A&M University to run track. He left college early to marry his high school sweetheart, Marianne Purnell. He continued his education and received his BA in history from Our Lady of the Lake University and his Master’s degree in Personnel Administration from Central Michigan University. His military education includes the Infantry Advanced course, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.
Lt. Gen. Greg Anderson, Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, said in a statement, “The airborne and special operations forces communities lost one of its greatest leaders and advocates this week with the passing of Gen. William ‘Buck’ Kernan. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of distinguished service to our nation and a deep commitment to soldiers and their families. We offer our sincerest condolences to his family as we mourn together.”
Kernan was drafted and served several tours in the Vietnam War. In 1968, upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as an infantry officer. Just a year later, Kernan served as a rifle platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, in Vietnam.
After returning from Vietnam, as his career advanced, Kernan held many leadership roles including commanding two airborne companies, two Ranger companies, an airborne infantry battalion and a Ranger battalion. Later, he commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment during its combat parachute assault into Panama during Operation Just Cause in1989.
As a general officer, Kernan served in the 7th Infantry Division and in U.S. Special Operations Command before returning to command the 101st Airborne Division from February 1996 to February 1998. In June 1996 an attack was made on the housing complex near Dhahran resulting in the killing of 19 American airmen and injured more than 400 other U.S. and international troops and civilians. As commander, he later deployed elements of the division to Saudi Arabia in September 1996 in response to the bombing at Khobar Towers.
Kernan then commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps and later was Supreme Allied Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander – Atlantic.
Gen. Kernan was admired and respected by his troops and has been referred to as a legend. He was highly decorated for his exceptional service, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with V device, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab. In addition to AUSA’s Abrams Medal, Kernan also is a recipient of the Doughboy Award, the highest honor the Army’s chief of infantry can bestow to any infantryman.
He remained active in the Army community after retiring from the service. He served on the advisory board of the Patriot Foundation, which provides scholarships and childcare services to families of soldiers from Fort Bragg and Fort Campbell, Ky., who were killed or wounded while serving. He also was an ambassador for the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational and career opportunities for soldiers who have suffered severe, permanent wounds during service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and was an advisory board member for the National Infantry Museum.
General Kernan’s hobbies included golf, hunting, and fishing.
A funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Pinehurst, on Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. Carpooling is suggested due to limited parking space. A special tribute Celebration of Life will follow on Oct. 4, 4:00 to 7 p.m., at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, just outside Fort Bragg. Both services are open to the public.
