WILLIAM R. KENT, III, LTJG, USN
William Kent, III '49
Lucky Bag
From the 1949 Lucky Bag:
William R. Kent, III
Birmingham, Alabama
Bill came to the Academy from the wilds of Alabama with a fighting heart which, even after these many years of combat with the system, is still unconquered. It was this insuppressible spirit that guided him on the gridiron, the tennis courts, in the classroom, and in all activities. Socially speaking, Bill was an ardent explorer. "Every week a different drag—may she always be a queen!" was the policy to which he adhered with few exceptions. Though perhaps not as gifted intellectually as Einstein or Archimedes, at no time was he hard pressed to keep within the top third of the class. As an individual he was a conscientious worker who possessed the aggressive spirit, coordination, and ability which spelled success, both in the classroom and on the playing field.
He was also a member of the tennis team.
William R. Kent, III
Birmingham, Alabama
Bill came to the Academy from the wilds of Alabama with a fighting heart which, even after these many years of combat with the system, is still unconquered. It was this insuppressible spirit that guided him on the gridiron, the tennis courts, in the classroom, and in all activities. Socially speaking, Bill was an ardent explorer. "Every week a different drag—may she always be a queen!" was the policy to which he adhered with few exceptions. Though perhaps not as gifted intellectually as Einstein or Archimedes, at no time was he hard pressed to keep within the top third of the class. As an individual he was a conscientious worker who possessed the aggressive spirit, coordination, and ability which spelled success, both in the classroom and on the playing field.
He was also a member of the tennis team.
Loss
William was lost when his "fighter plane" crashed near Corpus Christi, Texas, on September 11, 1951.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
William attended Woodlawn High School and graduated in January 1945: Football ’43, 44; Tennis ’43, Pres. ’44; Euclidean Honor Society ’43, National Honor Society ’44, Hi-Y Ushers Club ’43; Pres. Senior Class. He had just qualified as a carrier pilot at Pensacola in August. He was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Survived by his father, a salesman for an electric company, mother Katherine, sister Nancy, and grandmother Alma. His grandfather died the previous December.
He is buried in the Forest Hills Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.
He is not mentioned in the 1949 Class History.
Photographs
From the Birmingham News on September 12, 1951
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