- December 20, 2024
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His first assignment after electronics school was at Naval Ordnance Test Site, China Lake, California. He was next assigned to Bath Iron Work Shipyard in Maine where he took part in the new construction of the U.S.S. Macdonough, DLG 8. Kershaw went underway aboard the Macdonough but left the Navy at the end of his enlistment while at Jacksonville Naval Station, Mayport, Florida. For his honorable service Kershaw received the Good Conduct Medal and a job offer from defense contractor Honeywell Aerospace in Clearwater, Florida due to his electronics training being in such high demand.
That work took him to Groom Lake, Nevada, where he worked on the guidance systems for the SR-71 Blackbird, the largely secret strategic reconnaissance aircraft of its time. He left Honeywell and attended Florida Atlantic University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree. Kershner went to work for Arrow Electronics and was involved in a couple more top-secret defense “Black” programs over the years.
Much of his work allowed him to live in Florida during his career, aside from a brief stay in Knoxville, Tennessee, to care for the mother of his wife, Deanna. Before fully retiring he worked at Area 51 in Nevada and then Ocean Design in Ormond Beach. Kershner was a Flagler County Citizen Observer Patrol volunteer for several years. He now spends more time with his wife and freshwater fishing in the lake near his home.
Kershner is a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 86, American Legion Post 115, and the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy.
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