Denson, Kerry

State: WI

Units: 1-147 AVN Bn, HQ STARC

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Deputy TAG of WIBrigadier General Kerry G. Denson is Wisconsin’s deputy adjutant general for Army. He commands the Wisconsin Army National Guard and is responsible for both its federal and state missions. General Denson graduated from Oregon High School, Oregon, Wis. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Milton College in business administration. He is also a graduate of the Army’s Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing Aviator Course, Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College, Air War College, and numerous aviation training courses. General Denson began his military career with a period of enlisted and warrant officer service. He completed flight training and received a direct commission as a 1st lieutenant in June 1969. He served two combat tours in Vietnam, where he was assigned as a platoon commander and section leader in helicopter battalions. Between combat tours he was a flight instructor at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. He returned to the United States and joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in June 1971. Since that time, he has served in a variety of command and staff assignments, including command of the 147th Attack Helicopter Battalion and Director of Aviation and Safety for the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He was appointed to his present position as deputy adjutant general in August 1997. General Denson has flown over 10,000 hours, 1277 of them in combat. His military awards include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, 35 awards of the Air Medal, both Army and Air Force Commendation Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, and the Master Aviator Badge, among others.