[1] During the Spanish–American War, Francis Kernan became a member of General Arthur MacArthurs staff on his tour to the Philippine Islands in 1898, where he earned a Silver Star citation for gallantry.

[4] Kernan kept the position until July 1918, but he also failed to organize an adequate delivery of supplies and was replaced by Major General James Harbord.

[5][6] Kernan was sent on a diplomatic mission, to negotiate with German envoys in Switzerland to reach an agreement concerning treatment and exchange of prisoners of war.

General Kernan was entrusted with the important duty of organizing the Services of Supply of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, and the foundation then laid was later successfully carried out to completion.

[7]Kernan became a major general of the regular Army in October 1919 and was sent to the Philippine Islands again until late 1922, when he briefly commanded the Seventh Corps Area before requesting to be retired.