Kenneth MacLeish
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Kenneth MacLeish, USN (1894 – 14 October 1918) was an officer in the United States Navy
during World War I
. A Naval aviator
, he received the Navy Cross
posthumously for his combat actions.
Born in Glencoe, Illinois
, MacLeish was appointed ensign in the Naval Reserve Flying Corps 31 August 1917. MacLeish was the brother of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Archibald MacLeish
, and like him attended Yale College. A member of the class of 1918, he left school to serve in the war. The young officer wrote home constantly, and his letters show the youthful enthusiasm and subsequent weariness of combat that is characteristic of men at war. In France
he participated in many raids over the enemy’s lines before he was transferred in September 1918 to Eastleigh
, England
. On a raid with the Royal Air Force
14 October, his plane was shot down and Lieutenant MacLeish was forced to crash land. Macleish survived the initial crash but was found dead not far from the crash site.
He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
for “distinguished service and extraordinary heroism”. He is buried at the Flanders Field American Cemetery in Waregem, Belgium.
The destroyer USS MacLeish (DD-220)
was named for him.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. A Naval aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
, he received the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
posthumously for his combat actions.
Born in Glencoe, Illinois
Glencoe, Illinois
Glencoe is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 8,723. Glencoe is located on suburban Chicago's North Shore. Glencoe is located within the New Trier High School District. Glencoe is regarded as one of the most affluent suburbs on...
, MacLeish was appointed ensign in the Naval Reserve Flying Corps 31 August 1917. MacLeish was the brother of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Archibald MacLeish
Archibald MacLeish
Archibald MacLeish was an American poet, writer, and the Librarian of Congress. He is associated with the Modernist school of poetry. He received three Pulitzer Prizes for his work.-Early years:...
, and like him attended Yale College. A member of the class of 1918, he left school to serve in the war. The young officer wrote home constantly, and his letters show the youthful enthusiasm and subsequent weariness of combat that is characteristic of men at war. In France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
he participated in many raids over the enemy’s lines before he was transferred in September 1918 to Eastleigh
Eastleigh
Eastleigh is a railway town in Hampshire, England, and the main town in the Eastleigh borough which is part of Southampton Urban Area. The town lies between Southampton and Winchester, and is part of the South Hampshire conurbation...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. On a raid with the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
14 October, his plane was shot down and Lieutenant MacLeish was forced to crash land. Macleish survived the initial crash but was found dead not far from the crash site.
He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for “distinguished service and extraordinary heroism”. He is buried at the Flanders Field American Cemetery in Waregem, Belgium.
The destroyer USS MacLeish (DD-220)
USS MacLeish (DD-220)
USS MacLeish was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Lieutenant Kenneth MacLeish....
was named for him.