"Major General William F. "Buck" Kernan was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School on 6 November 1968. His first duty assignment was as LNO, HHC 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, 101st Vietnam; Company Commander, 82d Airborne, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Area Commander Recruiting, Austin, Texas; Company Commander, 2/75 Rangers, Fort Lewis, Washington; Company Commander, 2/75 Rangers, Fort Lewis, Washington; A/53, 2/75 Rangers, Fort Lewis, Washington; Infantry Assignments Officer, Alex, Virgina; Company Commander of British Parachute Regiment, U.K.; Bn Executive Officer, 82d Airborne, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Battalion Commander, 82d Airborne, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Battalion Commander, 1/75 Rangers, Hunter Army Air Field, Georgia; Deputy Regimental Commander, 75th Rangers, Fort Benning, Georgia. | Military schools attended include: Airborne, Ranger Course, Jumpmaster, Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Jungle Warfare, Command and General Staff College, United States Army War College. | General Kernan's awards and decorations include: Bronze Star w/ V and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal w/ 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/ 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 Campaign Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon w/ 2; Army Service Ribbons, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, British Jump Wings, Canadian Jump Wings, Egyptian Jump Wings."