William Bentley Kern Collection

226 WFCHS 

Inventory created by Archives Staff 12/1991. Last revised 04/2018.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

EXTENT: 1 folder

DATE:  1942-1944

SCOPE AND CONTENT: This collection includes Colonel William Bentley Kern’s speech of 1942 to the 6^th Armored Infantry on the eve the invasion of North Africa. There are also news articles and biographical excerpts about Kern’s military career. 

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: Colonel William Bentley Kern was born in Winchester, Virginia on July 27, 1911. He graduated from Handley High School, Winchester, Virginia and the U. S. Military Academy. He spent his career in the military with extensive service during World War II in North Africa and Europe, and later during the Korean conflict. During World War II he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry at the Battle of Faid Pass. Kern died on December 19, 1991 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

CITE AS: William Bentley Kern Collection, 226 WFCHS, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA.

ACQUISITION INFORMATION: Acquired as a gift. 

ORGANIZATION 

OVERSIZED

MAPCASE 1, DRAWER 13 

Autobiographical Sketch – William Bentley Kerns, 7 leaves, manuscript (photocopy)

Background Information (folder includes the following):
Newspaper articles, including obituary
Book excerpt from An Army at Dawn, The War in North Africa, 1942-1943 by Rick Atkinson, New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co., 2007, pgs. 327-343, 13 leaves, printed (photocopy) 

Speech made by Lieutenant Colonel W. B. Kern of the Sixth Armored Infantry to troops on the eve of invasion of North Africa, November 7, 1942, 1 leaf, printed, folded