Iven Kincheloe was born on July 2, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Purdue University on June 17, 1949. Lt Kincheloe next completed flying school and was awarded his pilot wings in August 1950. His first assignment was with the 62nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron at O'Hare AFB, Illinois, from August 1950 to September 1951, when he was sent to Korea. Kincheloe served with the 325th and later the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, from September 1951 to May 1952, during which time he was credited with destroying 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He flew a total of 131 combat missions during the war. Kincheloe next served as an instructor pilot at Nellis AFB, Nevada, from May 1952 to January 1954. He served as an exchange officer in England from January 1954 to January 1955, and during this time he completed test pilot school. Capt Kincheloe served as a test pilot at Edwards AFB, California, from January 1955 until he was killed in the crash of an F-104 Starfighter on July 26, 1958. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In September 1959, Kinross AFB, Michigan was renamed Kincheloe AFB in his honor. Capt Kincheloe made the first flight over 100,000 feet while piloting a Bell X-2 Starbuster on September 7, 1956.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

Captain IVEN C. KINCHELOE, JR., distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as a pilot, 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter Interceptor Group, on 1 April 1952. While leading a flight of four F-86 type aircraft, Captain KINCHELOE encountered sixteen enemy aircraft attempting to intercept friendly fighter-bombers. Captain KINCHELOE quickly broke his flight into elements to engage the enemy, and boldly attacked although greatly outnumbered. He pressed attacks against two of the enemy, completely disregarding efforts of other aircraft to deter him. Displaying unusual aggressiveness, Captain KINCHELOE severely damaged the aircraft of the enemy flight leader, forcing him to eject himself, and despite heavy damage to his own aircraft, attacked another and destroyed it completely. Captain KINCHELOE'S destruction of the two aircraft effectively broke up the enemy force and prevented their attack on the friendly fighter-bombers. Through his high personal courage, outstanding airmanship, and devotion to duty, Captain KINCHELOE reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.