John Gendell Kennedy (May 19, 1900 – September 1971) was an American radio technician who as a coxswain of a rowing shell competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.

[2] Taking his position at the rear of the boat, John Kennedy coxed the four members of the Bachelor’s Barge rowing club which won the qualifier for the 1924 Olympics in Paris with four other members of the Bachelor's Barge Club on Philadelphia's Schuykill River on June 13, 1924[3] Before joining Bachelor’s, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and coxed their lightweight and junior varsity crews.

[4] After their arrival in Paris, the American coxed four team won their heat in the preliminary round with a time of 7 minutes 19 seconds for the 1.24 mile course.

[4] The competition was won by Switzerland, the nation's second consecutive victory in the event, with France taking the Silver medal.

Switzerland, the pre-race favorite, finished with a sizable three-minute lead over second place France.