American Hero, Aurora HS Grad Passes Away at 74

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.

More from Local News

Events

Traffic Switch Scheduled for May 5 on Carroll Cropper Bridge

Eastbound traffic will shift from left to right lane on the bridge as repairs continue

IDHS: Applications Available for State Disaster Relief Fund

You may qualify for assistance if you suffered property damage during recent severe storms and flooding.

Harrison Council Race, Issue 2 on the Primary Election Ballot

Ohioans will go to the ballot box on Tuesday, May 6.

Local Sports Report - May 1, 2025

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

Sixteen Trojans Sign to Play College Sports

Congratulations and good luck to each signee!

On Air

Your Hometown Radio Station playing
Mickey Gilley - Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time

Craig Morgan American Soundtrack 3:10
George Strait Write This Down 3:07
Luke Bryan Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye 3:03
Fox News Fox News National Newscast 3:02