Rex C. Kenyon


Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, CA
Published in the "Big Bear Grizzly" Friday, Wednesday, February 8, 2006 2:57 PM PST
File uploaded 15 Feb 2006

This file is part of the California Tombstone Project
http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/california/californ.html


Chief Warrant Officer Three Rex C. Kenyon age 34, of Copperas Cove was killed in action on 
Jan. 16, 2006, while conducting a reconnaissance mission Northwest of Taji, Iraq.

Rex was born April 8, 1971, in Rolla, Mo., to Rex Edward Kenyon and Beverly June (Bryant) 
Kenyon. He was raised and educated in California where he was a varsity letterman in track 
and cross country, a member of Boys State and an Eagle Scout with the Boys Scouts of America.

Rex entered the Army on Sept. 12, 1991, in Los Angeles, Calif. He completed Warrant Officer 
Candidate School and became a Warrant Officer One on Nov. 1, 1992. Rex earned his wings on 
Nov. 3, 1993, having qualified in both UH-1 Iroquois and the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, 
and subsequently attended the AH-64 Apache Combat Aviator Qualification Course.

Rex's first assignment took him to Germany, where he served with the 3rd Infantry Division's 
2-1 and 3-1 Aviation Regiments. In June 1996, he was transferred to Charlie Company, 1-1 Aviation 
Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. In March  of 1997, Rex deployed for seven months to Tuzla, 
Bosnia, and then returned to complete his five-year tour. He was reassigned to Bravo Company, 
1-4 Aviation Regiment in June of 1998. He deployed to Bosnia for a second time with Charlie 
Company, 1-4 Aviation in February 1999. After returning, he was sent to Fort Rucker, where he 
completed the Instructor Pilot Course, the Warrant Officer Advance Course, and the Rotary Wing 
Instrument Flight Examiners Course. Rex's next assignment took him to Korea, where he served as 
an instructor pilot for Charlie Company. In July of 2005, he was transferred to Bravo Company and 
was assigned as the standardization instructor pilot. On Nov. 12, 2005, Rex deployed in support 
of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. He flew nearly 80 hours of combat time in 30 days, conducting 
numerous route, area and zone reconnaissance missions, as well as supporting troops in contact.

CW3 Kenyon's military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army 
Commendation Medal (5OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense 
Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korean Defense 
Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO 
Medal, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

 
Rex was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert and Maggie Kenyon of Illinois; and 
his maternal grandmother, June P. Bryant also of Illinois.

Rex is survived by his wife, Joo Young Kenyon; a daughter, Heather Kenyon, of Germany; his parents, 
Rex and Beverly Kenyon of California; a brother, Robert Kenyon of California; and his maternal 
grandfather, William Bryant of Illinois.

The family received guests for a time of visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006, at 
Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove.

Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at the Comanche Chapel on Ft. Hood 
with Chaplain (MAJ) Paul Blundell officiating. Interment services followed at 3 p.m. on Friday, 
Jan. 27, 2006, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen with full military honors.

In place of usual remembrances, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the 
education fund for Rex's daughter, Heather C. Kenyon, 5, at the Bank of America, 210 Constitution 
Drive, Building B, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522, Attn: Cheryl Gates.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.mem.com 
 
Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in 
Copperas Cove, Texas.