Courtesy of Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Joe Kernan, Indiana’s 48th governor, passed away Wednesday morning. He was 74.
Kernan served in Vietnam before serving three terms as the Mayor of South Bend. In 1996, he ran as lieutenant governor alongside Frank O’Bannon. Kernan was later sworn in as Governor after O’Bannon died of a stroke in 2003. He retired from politics in 2005.
“Indiana mourns the loss of Joe Kernan, a bona fide American hero, decorated Navy officer, and truly selfless statesman who always placed the interests of his fellow Hoosiers first,” said Governor Eric Holcomb.
To honor Kernan, Gov. Holcomb has directed all flags statewide to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, August 5.
