Admiral Haynes was born November 30, 1925 in McKinney, TX to Vyola May and Fletcher Johnson Haynes. His stepfather, Clarence Erwin Parker, Chief Water Tender, USN (Ret), talking about his service in the Asiatic Fleet convinced young Kenneth at the age of 12 that he wanted to make the Navy a career. His stepfather had enlisted in 1906 and retired in 1922 when the Navy was downsizing after WWI. Navy policy, at the time, permitted enlisted with 16 years of service to retire with retainer pay based on 20 years. Among other duties in Parker’s career, he served as a Coal Passer on USS CUSHING (TB-1), the Navy's first torpedo boat destroyer. Haynes finished Frisco High School in Frisco, TX, in June 1942 and enlisted in Dallas, TX on August 3, 1942, prior to his 17th birthday.   His mother changed his date of birth, so he could enlist in the service at age 16.

Haynes went through recruit training at USNRTC, San Diego, CA, and was classified a hospitalman apprentice in the Naval Reserve. Soon after that he was assigned to United States Marine Corps. In mid-December 1942 he departed San Francisco on board USS ROCHAMBEAU (AP 63) with about 3000 Marines and Corpsmen enroute to Melbourne, Australia via Noumea, New Caledonia. In Noumea, Haynes was assigned to Weapons Company, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. In June 1943 they departed Melbourne enroute to Buna, New Guinea and a subsequent landing, Christmas Day 1943, on Cape Gloucester, New Britain.

In June 1944 Haynes was selected for the Navy V-12 Program and enrolled at UT Arlington. At that time UT Arlington was called North Texas Agriculture College (NTAC) in the Texas A&M System and it was the only junior college in the nation with a V-12 contract. Subsequently Haynes transferred to the NROTC Program at UT Austin where he finished his Navy training and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science and Tactics. On June 2, 1947 Haynes was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, the first class to graduate under the new Holloway Plan curriculum.

In June 1947 ENS Haynes was ordered to USS WALDRON (DD699), which was tasked with training Naval Reserves until mid-1949 when it joined Task Group 88 enroute to the Mediterranean. WALDRON detached to proceed independently to Northern Europe, including Norway, to show the flag as NATO was being planned.

From March 1950 to May 1951 Haynes unsuccessfully went through flight training in Pensacola, FL, was promoted to LTJG, and then returned to Fleet. From May 1951 to June 1952 he served aboard USS WILLIAM T. POWELL (DER-213), which was tasked with training Naval Reserves and making frequent visits to Caribbean basin ports.

In August 1952 LTJG Haynes rotated ashore to attend the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where his studies were in Command Communications. He was promoted to LT during his time there.

In July 1953 LT Haynes reported to Commander, Escort Destroyer Squadron Four, embarked on USS NEW (DDE 818) at the time, to serve as Squadron Communications Officer for Fleet operations in the North Atlantic and deployments to Sixth Fleet.

In April 1954 LT Haynes reported to Fleet Training Group Chesapeake Bay/Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, VA, as Shipboard Instructor in training the ship's companies in ships transferred under the Mutual Defense Assistance Pact (MDAP). Primary platforms were DE's and Ocean Going Mine Sweepers (MSO). Haynes worked with ships from Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, Belgium, Pakistan, Uruguay, Chile, Columbia, Taiwan and Japan.

In September 1956 LT Haynes was ordered to the staff of Commander, Cruiser Division TWO, embarked on USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA-148), to serve as Communications Officer for operations in the North Atlantic and Sixth Fleet.

In August 1958 Haynes was ordered to report to USS MEREDITH (DD890) as its Executive Officer, and was soon promoted to LCDR. MEREDITH operated in the North Atlantic and Sixth Fleet.

In January 1960 LCDR Haynes reported to VADM George W. Anderson, Commander, SIXTH Fleet, for duty as Staff Communications Officer. COMSIXTHFLT was home ported in Ville France Sur Mer, France, and oversaw operations of the U.S. Sixth Fleet and NATO operations with British, French, Italian, Greek and Turkish fleet units.

From July 1961to July 1962 LCDR Haynes was a student at the U.S. Naval War College. His studies were in Command and Staff, subsequently earning him a Master of Arts in International Affairs degree in a cooperative program with George Washington University.

While on the OpNav Staff as OP941B Communications Programs from July 1962 to April 1964, Haynes served as Member Working Level on the Ship's Characteristics Board, and was promoted to CDR.

In April 1964 CDR Haynes reported to the USS EDSON (DD946) as its new Commanding Officer. At the time EDSON was in Kaohsiung, Republic of China. EDSON’s duties included operations with the Taiwan Patrol Force, carrier operations, and gunfire support training in the Philippines. In August 1964, EDSON was involved in special operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. August 2-5 she participated in successful air strike operations against North Vietnamese Torpedo boats and supporting facilities while serving with TG 77.5. EDSON returned to her homeport, Long Beach, CA, on 2 October 1964 and redeployed to WestPac on 15 October 1965. EDSON provided NGFS to troops in the I Corps area and operated with FIRST Fleet in the interim. On 16 February 1964, CDR Haynes was relieved with orders to assume command of USS PREBLE (DLG 15).

March 1966 - September 1967 Commanded USS PREBLE (DLG15). In 1966 PREBLE was involved in fleet operations in FIRST Fleet. In 1967, with CAPT A. L. Kobey embarked, in PREBLE operations shifted to SEVENTH Fleet. PREBLE was assigned to Search and Rescue (SAR) duties in Tonkin Gulf and was later relieved by USS HENRY B. WILSON (DDG 7) on 23 February. PREBLE returned to Subic Bay and continued operations with SEVENTH Fleet until 20 March when in company with USS F.B. PARKS (DD-834) and USS MULLANY (DD-528), with PREBLE designated OTC, it departed for San Diego, with a fuel stop in Midway Island on 25 March and an overnight stop at Pearl Harbor, HI on 28-29 March, arriving in San Diego on 4 April. PREBLE continued operations with FIRST Fleet, including type training, providing SECNAV with Guest Cruises and midshipmen training as a unit of the Pacific Midshipmen Training Squadron. On 16 September, with orders to the Naval Academy, CDR Haynes is relieved by CDR P. C. Gibbons, Jr.

From October 1967 to June 1970, CDR Haynes served as Department Head, Foreign Languages Department (renamed Modern Languages Department to reflect its original name when USNA was founded). Haynes was promoted to CAPT soon after reporting to USNA. He served as the Department Head until June 69, when he was directed by VADM James Calvert, the Superintendent, to reorganize the Office of Candidate Guidance and the Blue and Gold organization. Admiral Calvert assigned seven outstanding Naval Academy graduates to CAPT Haynes’ staff, two of whom were LT Thomas Lynch, USN and CAPT Charles Krulak, USMC. Their efforts were very successful.

In August 1970 CAPT Haynes was ordered to assume command of USS RICHMOND K. TURNER (DLG-20). TURNER continued operations out of San Diego until March 22, 1971, when she embarked for Bath, Maine. She arrived at the Bath Iron Works April 27, and was decommissioned May 5, under a Navy-wide program to enhance the anti-air warfare capability of major guided missile ships. This was an outstanding opportunity to enjoy life at sea when the ship’s company was permitted to select ports of call enroute Bath Iron Works from San Diego. Other opportunities included embarked Navy League guests between ports of call. This was about as close to a pleasure cruise as one is likely to experience in the Fleet. CAPT Haynes commented that the Navy Leaguers and the ship's company were gentlemen throughout the cruise.

On 22 June 1971 CAPT Haynes relieved CAPT Henry S. Morgan as CO of USS PROVIDENCE (CLG-6). During the early 1970s PROVIDENCEserved as flagship of the U.S. FIRST Fleet, operating in the eastern Pacific. However, North Vietnam's 1972 offensive sent her back to the Far East in April of that year. For nearly all of the rest of 1972 she delivered six and five-inch gunfire against enemy forces, including a number of raids against the port of Haiphong and other areas in North Vietnam. For the return to the Western Pacific in April 1972, PROVIDENCE was ordered to return directly to the gun line with fuel stops in Pearl Harbor and Subic Bay. A speed of advance of 25 knots was authorized. In addition to refueling in Subic Bay, PROVIDENCE crewmen, including the embarked Marine Detachment, were outfitted with flak jackets. PROVIDENCE arrived on the assigned gunfire support station about 2230 and commenced to carry out gunfire support assignments soon thereafter. ADM Bernard Clary, CINCPACFLT, broke his flag in PROVIDENCE for three days while the ship was on the gun line. Also worthy of note was PROVIDENCE’s transpacific crossing with no casualties to the main propulsion system. On 17 June 1972 CAPT Haynes was relieved of PROVIDENCE on the gun line by CAPT P. C. Gibbons, Jr.

In June 1972 CAPT Haynes reported to OpNav as Deputy to RADM Samuel Gravely and while serving as RADM Gravely's Deputy was himself selected for flag. During the next six years, RADM Haynes served a Deputy Commander, Naval Telecommunications Command; Deputy Director, Operations, Defense Communications Agency; Director, Naval Communications and on the Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Deputy Director, Operations, World Wide Military Command and Control under Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, GEN George Brown, USAF.

On 1 June 1978 RADM Haynes retired from active service. Decorations awarded him include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with gold star and combat "V", Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp, National Defense Service Medal with service star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge and JCS Identification Badge.

Some of RADM Haynes Post-Navy employments include:
1978 – 1982, Dean of Texas Maritime College, Texas A&M University at Galveston
1982 – 1991, Vice President, American Satellite Company/Contel ASC/GTE, which included an office in London, England as Managing Director, European Operations, from 1987 to 1989.

Admiral Haynes was married to the former Margaret Jane Conroy. They were married in Bellaire, TX on 8 August 1948 and had three children: Kenneth G. Haynes, Jr. born 29 October 1949 in Houston, TX; Melinda Lou Haynes born 10 April 1951 in Pensacola, FL and Christopher Scott Haynes born 10 February 1955 in Norfolk, VA. Christopher passed away 12 November 2007 in Lexington, KY.

Admiral Haynes’ daughter Mindy, commented that her dad’s favorite ship was the USS PROVIDENCE CLG-6