PFC Billy Don Kennington
Birth: Mar. 4, 1942 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC
Death: Mar. 19, 1968, Vietnam.
PFC Billy Don Kennington native of Charlotte, NC was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, 26 years old and was married. It was reported that Billy died from multiple fragmentation wounds from a mine. His body was recovered.
A Charlotte soldier who was in Vietnam only 2 1/2 months was reportedly kiled in action. PFC Billy Don Kennington was on a search and destroy mission in the Mekong Delta when he was killed by an enemy grenade March 19. Kennington was in the 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. He arrived in Vietnam January 6th after basic training at Ft Gordon, GA, and Ft. Jackson, SC. He was drafted in August 1967. The Army listed his death as resulting from “multiple metal fragment wounds from a hostile grenade.” Kennington attended Harding High School and was employed by the Brake Service Company before entering the Army. Surviving are his wife Mrs. Violet M. Kennington; a son, Danny Glenn Kennington of the home; a sister, Mrs. Linda Ramsey of Charlotte: a brother, Jimmy S. Kennington of California; his parents, Mr. James E. Kennington (1917 – 1996) and Mrs. Aydell J. Kennington (1919 – 2000) of Charlotte; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn T. Deese of Marshville.
He served with Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, “Old Reliables”. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Burial: Sharon Memorial Park Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.
(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites
; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)
