Gregory Patrick Kernahan was born on November 16, 1942. He lived in Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J., and attended Neptune High School. He entered Saint Peter’s College in 1960 and joined the ROTC. He graduated on June 7, 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.  

Lt.. Kernahan was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers in the Republic of Vietnam. On March 6, 1968 while serving as a convoy commander with the 585th Engineer Company, 937th Engineer Group near Pleiku and Kontum, Republic of Vietnam, Kernahan and his unit were ambushed by a hostile force. Leaving the shelter of a dump truck to reach and aid several wounded men, he himself was wounded by small arms fire. As his own wounds were being treated, he continued to give directions as to how the defense was to be established and for the care of the wounded. Kernahan directed this action and insisted on being the last evacuated. His only consideration was for the welfare of his men. He died en route to the hospital in Pleiku. The official casualty report shows him as "Killed in Action" from a gunshot wound received during hostile ground action.

Captain Kernahan was posthumously recommended for the Medal of Honor. In lieu of that, the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to him for his extraordinary heroism.  In addition, Captain Kernahan was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also earned a Parachute Badge.