[3] He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, 12 June 1889, in field artillery and took part on August 16, 1899, in the Battle of Angeles, in the Pampanga Province during the Philippine–American War.

[4][2] On September 3, 1917, Brigadier General Kenly became the first Chief of Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France, effectively taking control away from the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps.

Previously a field artillery commander, he did not have experience leading an air force, and General Billy Mitchell wielded a large amount of influence in the AEF's operational decisions.

He retired in 1919 and King George of Great Britain awarded Kenly the honor of Companion of the Order of the Bath.

[5] Kenly died of a heart attack on January 10, 1928, in Washington, D.C.[1] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.