Kenneth R. Whitesell | |
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| Born | July 19, 1961 Stuarts Draft, Virginia, United States |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1985–present |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | Naval Air Forces Carrier Strike Group 2 Carrier Air Wing One VFA-41 |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War Iraq War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (5) |
| Alma mater | Old Dominion University Joint Forces Staff College Naval War College |
Kenneth Ray Whitesell[1] (born July 19, 1961) is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy, and the past Commander, Naval Air Forces.[2] He retired on September 7, 2023.[3]
Whitesell grew up in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.[4] He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and the Naval War College, where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.[4]
Whitesell became a Naval Flight Officer in the United States Navy, being commissioned at Officer Candidate School in February 1985 and earning his Naval Aviator Insignia in October 1986. He graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School and flew the F-14 Tomcat and, later, the F/A-18 Super Hornet. He has over 4,000 flight hours. [2]
His operational assignments have been:
Whitesell has participated in Operations Desert Shield, Southern Watch, Deliberate Guard/Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.[4]
Overseas assignments ashore:
Whitesell has served as commander of:
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Naval flight officer |
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Command at Sea insignia |
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Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal |
 
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Legion of Merit with four gold award stars |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
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Meritorious Service Medal with award star |
 
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Air Medal with bronze Strike/Flight numeral "1" |
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Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two award stars |
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Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
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Navy Unit Commendation |
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Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star |
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National Defense Service Medal with service star |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
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Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star |
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Iraq Campaign Medal with service star |
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Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
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Armed Forces Service Medal |
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Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star |
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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |
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Navy Expert Rifleman Medal |
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Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |