Kent Lee

Kent Liston Lee (July 28, 1923 – August 11, 2017) was a Vice Admiral of the United States Navy. With a 36-year military career, he served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Lee is renowned for his leadership as the commander of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during the Vietnam War. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the development and procurement of the F/A-18 Hornet. Born in Florence County, South Carolina, Lee enlisted in the Navy in 1940 and became a naval aviator in 1943. He shot down a Japanese aircraft during his service in Fighter Squadron 15. Lee later studied mathematics and physics at Columbia University and served with Attack Squadron 115 during the Korean War.