Claiborne H. Kinnard Jr.

Claiborne Holmes Kinnard (29 October 1912–18 September 1966) was a fighter ace and colonel in the United States Army Air Forces.

Kinnard graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1958. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1938 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1939.

Kinnard became commander of the 360th Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group in May 1943. He was commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron of the 355th Fighter Group from November 1943 to June 1944. He was with headquarters 355th Fighter Group from July to September 1944 and from February to May 1945. He was with the 4th Fighter Group from September to December 1944 and commander from November to December before returning to the 355th Fighter Group.

Kinnard was an ace with 8 enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial combat. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Croix-de Guerre, and the Distinguished Unit Citation.