Rear Admiral Marvin Granville Kennedy was born in Huntsville, Missouri on September 12, 1905 to Marvin and Emma Evaline Foster Kennedy. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1925. While at the Academy he played soccer and lacrosse. He graduated and was commissioned an Ensign on June 8, 1930. He first served on the USS Idaho, but in January of 1931 was ordered to the Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut. Following completing his training in June, 1932 he served on the submarine S-35 from 1931 to 1933 ending his service as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. He served on the S-34 from 1933 to 1934. He served on the submarine S-45 from 1935 to 1936 ending his service on that vessel as a Lieutenant. In 1936 he attended the Naval Postgraduate School graduating in 1938. He then served on the USS Chicago for the next year, and then assisted outfitting the USS Hammann at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Kearny, New Jersey. When that ship was commissioned on August 11, 1939 he served as its Engineer Officer achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He served in that post until March, 1941 when he was transferred to the USS Narwhal to serve as its Executive Officer.
He then oversaw the outfitting of the submarine USS Wahoo and assumed its command on May 15, 1942. While commanding the Wahoo he received the Silver Star for his actions during the Second War Patrol from November 8 to December 16, 1942. Kennedy had spotted a Japanese submarine and at 800 yards launched an attack that sunk the Japanese submarine. During this same patrol he and the crew of the Wahoo also sank a 5,644 ton Japanese freighter. He then joined the staff of the Commander Service Force, Southwest Pacific Unit. Then in April, 1943 he served as the repair officer on the USS Bushnell. He ended his service on the USS Bushnell as a Commander, and in April of 1944 assumed command of the USS Guest. While in command of the Guest he received the Gold Star in lieu of a second Silver Star for actions against enemy Japanese-held Guam, 20 July 1944; the Palau Islands from 30 March to 1 April 1944; and during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944.
He returned the the United States in August of 1945 and upon his return served as a professor of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of North Carolina. In 1949 he returned to active duty to serve on the Board of Inspection, Duty Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. with the rank of Captain. He served as its Recorder until August, 1950 when he was given duty as Senior Engineer Member, Board of Inspection and Survey, Pacific Coast Section, San Francisco. In December, 1951 was assigned duty with the staff of the Commandant, Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco. This was his last active duty assignment and on October 1, 1952 he was placed on the Retired List of the U.S. Navy and given the rank of Rear Admiral. Rear Admiral Kennedy passed away February 9, 1997