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

Clocks 'Fall Back' This Weekend

Clocks should be set back one-hour overnight Saturday into Sunday

Longtime Dearborn Co. Deputy Passes Away

Robert Lee "Bob" Waldon was a military veteran and a community servant.

Councilman Dylan Liddle Applauds $325K Grant Award for Lawrenceburg Road Improvements

The state recently awarded nearly $110 million through the Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) program

Lawrenceburg Native Wins World Series Ring with Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in five games.

Nominations Open for South Ripley Athletic Hall of Fame

Nominations are for the 2027 Hall of Fame class.

Oldenburg Academy Seeking Storybook Ending at Class A State Championship Match

The Twisters will have to topple a team that has not lost a match over the past two seasons.

On Air

Alison Wiegand playing
Luke Bryan - Prayin' In A Deer Stand - PEC ONLY

Lauren Daigle You Say - PEC ONLY 8:15
Doug Stone Little Houses 8:08
Anne Wilson and Jordan Davis God & Country PEC ONLY 8:05
Dillon Carmichael Son Of A 8:02