Flew on 'Tiger Rag' B-24 for 30 missions

His dedication and service to his country spanned several decades and three wars. He was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1943 where he trained to become a B-24 Flight Engineer. His first of 33 combat missions came in May of 1944. He spent time on both the B-24 and B-17 while fighting to further the cause of freedom. Following WWII, Kivett remained active as a Reservist until he was recalled to active duty in 1957 as a Jet Aircraft Mechanic at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, which led to a promotion to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. After six months on deployment in North Korea in 1968, Kivett returned home for a brief period. With the country's involvement in Vietnam tensing, he began to prepare himself for yet another deployment. Twenty-six years after his first deployment during WWII, Kivett was given orders for active duty in Vietnam at almost 50 years of age. Following five more years of service to his country, the military prompted Kivett to retire, due to age. Though he heavily protested the transition, citing age discrimination, Kivett reluctantly retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, having faithfully and passionately served his Country.