Dennis Kern helped saved the lives of 30 people on 9/11.
Dennis Kern in 2002. Photo via Naval History and Heritage Command.
(Aurora, Ind.) – Dennis Kern was an American hero.
He was born October 23, 1949, in Cincinnati and lived his formative years in Aurora, where he attended St. Mary’s School through grade 8 and Aurora High School where he graduated in 1967.
Following graduate, Kern was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and immediately attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas – which launched his 31-year career as a naval aviator.
On September 11, 2001, Captain Kern was with the Undersecretary as she was presenting to guests of the Pentagon. There was a group of 30 Navy civilian employees in the briefing when the Pentagon was attacked.
Kern is credited with single-handedly responsible for saving the lives of all of the people in that room that day. You can read more about his heroism at https://tinyurl.com/yuncpnt3.
Unfortunately, Captain Kern passed away on December 17 after a 10-month battle with brain cancer.
He will be laid to rest on January 11 in San Francisco, California, the place he had called home since 2005.
Bike to School Event Draws Nearly 100 Riders
Aurora Lions Club Awards Scholarships to South Dearborn Students
Jury Convicts on Hollywood Casino Armed Robbery
OCCF Announces 2026 High School Scholarship Awards
Florence Police Respond to Road Rage Incident
DNR: Make Water Safety a Priority
