Santa Fe Living Treasures – Elder Stories

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John Kenney

Dr. John Kenney

LOVER OF THE LAND

Honored November, 1990

Dr. John Kenney

A native Santa Fean, dedicated to service after his retirement from a thirty-year distinguished military career, John Kenney returned to his hometown to become one of its leading conservationists.

Born in 1918, a descendant of New Mexico's venerable Luna and Otero families, John attended New Mexico Military Institute and Regis College before going on to West Point. He also earned his master's degree at UCLA, and completed studies at Harvard Graduate School of Business. He served in Europe during World War II and in the Korean War. During his career, he worked at the Pentagon, was assistant commandant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he remained for thirteen years, and in 1966 attained the rank of brigadier general. One of his assignments was as hemisphere planner for the joint chiefs of staff.