BRIAN T. KENNEDY, CAPT, USMC

Brian Kennedy '07

Date of birth: September 27, 1984

Date of death: January 14, 2016

Age: 31

Lucky Bag

From the 2007 Lucky Bag:

Brian Thomas Kennedy

Malvern, Pennsylvania

"Intensity" being his middle name, Brian never did anything half-heartedly. He once passed out in the p-way from shouting too loud for the human body to handle. Fueled by Charlie Limas and his passion for all things Marine Corps, Brian stormed through the academy like one of the stockiest, slowest tanks in the U.S. arsenal. With his uncanny ability to find happiness in the darkest of times, and extreme anger in the brightest, there was never a dull moment with this strong-browed Philadelphia native. Brian kept his friends on their toes with a relentless onslaught of senseless jokes and unwelcome sound effects. Brian was a proud member of the legendary Dirty Thirty Class of '07, and as such shared some good times with good dudes. He is truly one of the finest human beings alive. We know you're gonna do the Boys proud BK, just don't push anybody down the stairs.

Brian Thomas Kennedy

Malvern, Pennsylvania

"Intensity" being his middle name, Brian never did anything half-heartedly. He once passed out in the p-way from shouting too loud for the human body to handle. Fueled by Charlie Limas and his passion for all things Marine Corps, Brian stormed through the academy like one of the stockiest, slowest tanks in the U.S. arsenal. With his uncanny ability to find happiness in the darkest of times, and extreme anger in the brightest, there was never a dull moment with this strong-browed Philadelphia native. Brian kept his friends on their toes with a relentless onslaught of senseless jokes and unwelcome sound effects. Brian was a proud member of the legendary Dirty Thirty Class of '07, and as such shared some good times with good dudes. He is truly one of the finest human beings alive. We know you're gonna do the Boys proud BK, just don't push anybody down the stairs.

Loss

Brian was lost on January 14, 2016 when the helicopter he was piloting collided with another and crashed north of Oahu, Hawaii.

Obituary

From Philly.com on April 19, 2016:

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 23, for Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, of Malvern, 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.

He is buried in Pennsylvania.

Remembrances

From the Naval Academy Alumni Association's "In Memoriam" page:

Brian cared intensely about his family, friends and commitment to serve — he gave his all to everything he did. Brian also enjoyed life to the fullest: He had a wonderful sense of humor, he loved to sing karaoke and he could dance his shoes off! Linda & Bill Kennedy