| Kentucky Colonel | |
|---|---|
 A letters patent certificate for a Kentucky Colonel issued in 1987 by Governor Martha Layne Collins | |
Awarded by  Kentucky | |
| Type | State order & order of merit |
| Established | 1894 |
| Country |  United States |
| Seat | Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Ribbon | Kentucky Blue |
| Motto | United We Stand Divided We Fall |
| Eligibility | Civilian |
| Criteria | Recognition of good deed, contribution to state prosperity, community service, or noteworthy action performed by an individual. |
| Status | Honorary |
| Founder | Governor Col. William O'Connell Bradley |
| Statistics | |
| First induction | 1894 |
| Last induction | Current |
| Total inductees | About 350,000 |
Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is the most well known colonelcy in the United States.[1] A Kentucky Colonel Commission (the certificate) is awarded in the name of the Commonwealth by the governor of Kentucky to individuals with "Honorable" titular style recognition preceding the names of civilians aged 18 or over, for noteworthy accomplishments, contributions to civil society, remarkable deeds, or outstanding service to the community, state, or a nation.[2] The Governor bestows the honorable title with a colonelcy commission, by issuance of letters patent.
While many famous and noteworthy people have received commissions as Kentucky colonels, the award is equally available to those of all backgrounds based on their deeds. A Kentucky Colonel is traditionally considered a goodwill ambassador of the Kentucky state, culture, folklore, traditions and values.[3]
Although Kentucky colonels are considered in Common Law to be aides-de-camp to the governors and members of their staff and thus entitled to the style of "Honorable",[4][5][6] Kentucky colonels are usually just referred to and addressed as "Colonel" and use the abbreviation "Col." or Kentucky colonel when the term is not being used as a specific title for an individual. Most properly in writing this becomes "Col. First Name, Middle, Surname, Kentucky Colonel".[4]
- ^ "American Colonelcy". American Colonels. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ SOS Office Staff (February 23, 2021). "Kentucky Colonels". Kentucky Secretary of State. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ Wright, David (February 25, 2021) [1998]. "Kentucky Colonel, Since 1775". Kentucky Colonelcy. Office of the Colonelcy.
- ^ a b Hickey, Robert (May 3, 2020). "How to Address a Kentucky Colonel – Greet, Write and Say Name". Honor & Respect. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ Websters Dictionary Archived July 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Definition of colonel | Dictionary.com". www.dictionary.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.