Joseph Eugene Kernan III (April 8, 1946 – July 29, 2020) was an American businessman and Democratic politician who served as the 48th governor of Indiana from 2003 to 2005. He previously served as the 47th lieutenant governor of Indiana from 1997 to 2003 under Frank O'Bannon and succeeded the governorship after O'Bannon's death. Kernan had also served nearly a year as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Kernan joined the Navy in 1969. A naval aviator, he was shot down in North Vietnam and taken prisoner in 1972. After his release, Kernan continued on active duty through 1974. A member of the Democratic Party, Kernan served as Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and then as the 47th lieutenant governor of Indiana from 1997 to 2003. He became governor on September 13, 2003, upon the death of Governor Frank O'Bannon. He lost an election to serve a full term as governor to former Office of Management and Budget director Mitch Daniels on November 2, 2004. Kernan returned to South Bend and retired from politics. As of , he is the most recent governor of Indiana from the Democratic Party. Early life and education Joe Eugene Kernan III was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 8, 1946. He was the eldest of nine children. Kernan's father, Joseph E. Kernan Jr. (1923 - 2008), was a naval aviator during World War II and would go on to have a career in government service. His mother, Marian Powers Kernan (1922 - 1998), held a variety of jobs, including a tenure C&P Telephone, where she worked her way up to a communications representative. As a communications representative she handled The Pentagon's account, and held security clearance. Kernan's father was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee in 1963 fortthe 4th district seat on the South Bend Common Council, and in 1964 ran unsuccessfully for St. Joseph County commissioner. Kernan's family moved to South Bend when he was ten years of age. Kernan graduated from St. Joseph High School in South Bend in 1964. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in Government from the University of Notre Dame. Kernan played on the university's baseball team, serving as a walk-on on the freshman team, and playing for the varsity team his sophomore and junior years in 1967 and 1968. He was initially an infielder, later switching to catcher