Claiborne H. Kinnard Jr.

Claiborne Holmes Kinnard (29 October 1912–18 September 1966) was a fighter ace and colonel in the United States Army Air Forces.[1][2]

Claiborne H. Kinnard Jr.
Nickname(s)	Zoot
Born	October 29, 1912 Franklin, Tennessee
Died	September 18, 1966 (aged 53)
Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army Air Forces
Years of service	1938 - 1966
Rank	Colonel
Service number	O-383753
Commands held	360th Fighter Squadron 354th Fighter Squadron 4th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Group
Battles/wars	World War II

Early life and education

Kinnard graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1958. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1938 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1939.

World War II

Kinnard became commander of the 360th Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group in May 1943. He was commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron of the 355th Fighter Group from November 1943 to June 1944. He was with headquarters 355th Fighter Group from July to September 1944 and from February to May 1945. He was with the 4th Fighter Group from September to December 1944 and commander from November to December before returning to the 355th Fighter Group.

Awards and decorations

Replica of Kinnard's 4th Fighter Group P-51D Mustang (44-14292) Man O’ War

Kinnard was an ace with 8 enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial combat. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Croix-de Guerre, and the Distinguished Unit Citation.

See also

• Claiborne Kinnard House

References

1. Norman J. Fortier (18 December 2007). An Ace of the Eighth: An American Fighter Pilot's Air War in Europe. Random House Publishing Group. pp. 111–. ISBN 978-0-307-41455-7.
2. Bill Marshall (1984). Angels, bulldogs & dragons. Champlin Fighter Museum. ISBN 978-0-912173-02-3.

External links

• Claiborne H. Kinnard Jr. at Find a Grave