Rabbit Kennedy

CSM Lawrence Eugene “Rabbit” Kennedy, 93, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Oak Tree Manor in Amory. Rabbit was born to Fred and Edna Hadaway Kennedy on July 5, 1924 in Smithville, Mississippi. On October 9, 1940 at 16 years old, he left Smithville and made the two-day walking journey to Tupelo, Mississippi to join the U.S. Army. Only after drinking a belly full of water and eating a dozen bananas to fulfill minimum weight requirements, he was enlisted and was assigned to artillery until that still used mules. With the outbreak of World War II, Rabbit found himself with millions of other American soldiers in Britain preparing for entry into the European mainland and six days after D-Day, his unit moved ashore. Later, Rabbit became part of the unit that fought the 41-day Battle of the Bulge in which he recalled sharing a foxhole 9 days with a dead German soldier and with diplomatic capabilities; he met with Russians on the Ebb River. With a short stint in the Korean War, his career elevated him to Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army where he was able to testify before congress about Army policies that treated enlisted men unfairly, and also in this role he was able to convince the Army to equip helicopters with ammunition. In September 1965, CSM Kennedy had the privilege of leading the Army’s 1st Cavalry 9th Division into combat. He had personally overseen the men’s training and development as a unit at Fort Benning. No other unit ever reflected his character and demeanor more than the 1st Cavalry. When his men came ashore in Vietnam, it was CSM Kennedy at the front, proudly carrying the American flag. The time that CSM Kennedy spent in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry would cement his legacy as one of the most respected and trusted non-commissioned officers. CSM Kennedy could command and move 500,000 troops, and on July 1975, Rabbit retired as CSM of the 5th Army at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX and came back home to Amory. His career spanned 3 wars which yielded him 4 Legions of Merit, 4 Bronze Stars, 5 Army Commendations, and he participated in 506 airborne jumps. Also, he was the first enlisted man inducted into the Hall of Fame at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker. Much of CSM Kennedy’s memorabilia is on display at the Amory Regional Museum which he would proudly discuss with anyone. Although his career in the Army allowed him to meet many governmental dignitaries and television personalities, his concern was always for the American enlisted men. A humble man born to a destitute family, he went on to become one of the Army’s most decorated soldiers and loved by all people. He was run out of town for shaking and moving, but 70 years later he was given the key to the city. He was often seen around town in his perfectly starched and pressed denim jeans where he would give his custom greeting of “Ole Soldier.” His survivors include his son, Michael Kennedy (Joann) of Florida; his daughter, Donna Slangal (Chad) of Wren; his brother, Ira Kennedy (Margaret) of Smithville; grandchildren, Matthew Lawrence Kennedy, Michael Wayne Kennedy, Kim Gray (Randy), and Sinty Griffin (Jeff); great grandchildren, Keeley Kennedy, Winter Brook Kennedy, Brenden Griffin, and David Michael Griffin; a host of nieces and nephews; and friends, Teresa Childers and staff of Oak Tree Manor. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, David and Clovis Kennedy; and an infant son, Lawrence Kennedy. Visitation for CSM Kennedy will be from 5 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at the Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home in Amory. Memories and condolences may be expressed at clevelandmoffettfuneralhome.com