Education
After attending Saint Mary's University of Minnesota for three years, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1944, receiving his commission in the infantry.
After attending Saint Mary's University of Minnesota for three years, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1944, receiving his commission in the infantry.
He deployed to the Europe Theater, serving as a platoon leader and company commander. In the Korean War he served on the staff of I Corps. By the Vietnam War he was a battalion commander in the 11th Air Assault Division, later serving as executive officer of the division's 1st Brigade.
When the 11th Air Assault Division was converted to the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) in 1965, he accompanied that unit to Vietnam as executive officer of the 1st Brigade, later becoming brigade commander after being promoted to full colonel. As a brigadier general he served as assistant division commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, then became assistant division commander of the 101st Airborne Division, deploying with that unit to Vietnam as its commander in 1970. In 1974 he received his fourth star and assumed command of the United States Readiness Command at MacDill Air Force Base in December 1974.
He retired in 1979 at the end of that tour. After retiring from the Army, Hennessey served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Tampa and was executive director of the Tampa Bay Area Research and Development Authority under the University of South Florida. Hennessey died of a stroke on March 20, 2001 at the age of 79.
Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) with one Oak Leaf Cluster Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Air Force Commendation Medal Presidential Unit Citation (United States) World War II Victory Medal (United States) Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal.
Eight members of the crew bailed out, leaving Pesch and his co-pilot alone with the aircraft.
