Kenneth O'Donnell
American political aide (1924-1977)
Kenneth Patrick O'Donnell[1] (March 4, 1924 – September 9, 1977) was an American political consultant. He was the special assistant and appointments secretary to President John F. Kennedy from 1961 until Kennedy's assassination in November 1963. O'Donnell was a close friend of President Kennedy and his younger brother Robert F. Kennedy.
Kenny O'Donnell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| White House Appointments Secretary | |
| In office January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963 | |
| President | John F. Kennedy |
| Preceded by | Thomas Stephens (Appointments Secretary) Wilton Persons (Chief of Staff) |
| Succeeded by | W. Marvin Watson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Patrick O'Donnell March 4, 1924 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 9, 1977 (aged 53) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holyhood Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Sullivan (1947–1977) Asta Steinfatt (1977) |
| Relations | Alice Guerin and Cleo Albert O'Donnell (parents) |
| Children | 3 sons, 2 daughters |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Boston College (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
O'Donnell also was an aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1963 to 1965. He later was an adviser to Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign.
He died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to alcoholism in September 1977, aged 53.
References
change- ↑ "Kenneth Patrick O'Donnell." Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 10: 1976–1980. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1995.
This short article about a person from the United States can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.