Kenneth L. Reusser: Difference between revisions
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Reusser first saw combat as part of [[VMFA-122|VMF-122]], assigned to [[Guadalcanal]] flying the [[F4F Wildcat]]. While assigned to the squadron, he was forced to ditch his aircraft in the Pacific after an encounter with the enemy. Injured severely, he was rescued by local islanders who nursed him until word could be passed and a recovery made. |
Reusser first saw combat as part of [[VMFA-122|VMF-122]], assigned to [[Guadalcanal]] flying the [[F4F Wildcat]]. While assigned to the squadron, he was forced to ditch his aircraft in the Pacific after an encounter with the enemy. Injured severely, he was rescued by local islanders who nursed him until word could be passed and a recovery made. |
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Reusser served as a [[Captain (land)|Captain]] in [[VMFA- |
Reusser served as a [[Captain (land)|Captain]] in [[VMFA-312|Marine Fighting Squadron 312 (VMF-312)]], and earned his first [[Navy Cross]] in combat off [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]. While there, on May 10, 1945, he and a squadronmate, [[Robert R. Klingman]], flew [[F4U Corsair]] fighters to intercept a Japanese observation plane at a much higher altitude than usual. When his guns seized up, he and Klingman flew their airplanes into the Japanese plane, destroying its tail with their planes' propeller. |
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==Korean War== |
==Korean War== |
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Revision as of 20:48, 16 August 2013
Kenneth L. Reusser | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 27, 1920 Cloverdale, Oregon, USA |
| Died | June 20, 2009 (aged 89) Clackamas, Oregon, USA |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1941-1968 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | VMA 214 "Black Sheep" Squadron |
| Commands | Marine Aircraft Group 16 |
| Battles / wars | World War II, Korean War, Vietnam |
| Awards | Navy Cross (2) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star (V Device) Purple Heart (5) Air Medal (18) |
| Other work | Lockheed Aircraft Piasecki Helicopter Corp |
Kenneth L. Reusser (January 27, 1920 – June 20, 2009 (aged 89)) was a United States Marine Corps aviator who was considered the most decorated Marine Aviator, having flown 253 combat missions, earning 59 medals, including two Navy Crosses while flying in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He is the only aviator to survive being shot down in all three wars.
Early years
Reusser was born in 1920, the son of a minister. He enjoyed racing motorcycles, the winnings from which helped him to pay for college and eventually earn a pilot's license just prior to World War II.
World War II
Reusser first saw combat as part of VMF-122, assigned to Guadalcanal flying the F4F Wildcat. While assigned to the squadron, he was forced to ditch his aircraft in the Pacific after an encounter with the enemy. Injured severely, he was rescued by local islanders who nursed him until word could be passed and a recovery made.
Reusser served as a Captain in Marine Fighting Squadron 312 (VMF-312), and earned his first Navy Cross in combat off Okinawa. While there, on May 10, 1945, he and a squadronmate, Robert R. Klingman, flew F4U Corsair fighters to intercept a Japanese observation plane at a much higher altitude than usual. When his guns seized up, he and Klingman flew their airplanes into the Japanese plane, destroying its tail with their planes' propeller.
Korean War
On August 5, 1950, Major Kenneth L. Reusser became the first Marine aviator, and for that matter the first Marine, to be decorated for gallantry during the Korean War.
Flying from the aircraft carrier USS Sicily (CVE-118), Maj Reusser led a four-plane flight of Vought F4U Corsairs from Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 214, the "Black Sheep," in a low-level attack. They attacked a North Korean truck park and tank repair facility in the occupied port city of Inchon.
With his aircraft heavily damaged by ground fire, he returned to the USS Sicily for repairs and rearmament, then made his way back to Inchon. In the face of fierce ground fire, he destroyed an oil storage facility. With his bombs and rockets expended, Maj Reusser next attacked a camouflaged oil tanker at anchor in the harbor, raking it with 20 mm gunfire until the ship exploded, almost blowing him out of the air. For his actions Reusser was awarded for the second time in his career the naval service's second highest award for gallantry, the Navy Cross.
Vietnam
During the war Reusser served as commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16. While leading a rescue mission, his Huey was shot down. He needed skin grafts over 35 percent of his body.
Retirement
After retiring as a Colonel from the Marine Corps, Reusser resided in Milwaukie, Oregon. He worked for Lockheed Aircraft and the Piasecki Helicopter Corp. and was active in veterans' groups. Reusser died on June 20, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Trudy; and sons, Richard C. and Kenneth L. Jr.
Military decorations and awards
Reusser received the Navy Cross, the Navy and Marine Corps second highest military award, Twice.
He also received five purple hearts, having been shot down at least once in each of the three wars he flew combat missions in
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| Naval Aviator Badge | ||||||||||||
| 1st row | Navy Cross w/ one gold 5/16 inch star | Legion of Merit w/ Combat "V" and one gold 5/16 inch star | Distinguished Flying Cross and one gold 5/16 inch star | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd row | Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat "V" | Purple Heart Medal w/ 4 gold 5/16 inch stars | Air Medal w/ 3 silver 5/16 inch stars and two gold 5/16 inch stars | Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ one gold 5/16 inch stars | ||||||||
| 3rd row | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal | ||||||||
| 4th row | World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal w/ one bronze service star | Korean Service Medal | ||||||||
| 5th row | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Vietnam Service Medal | United Nations Korea Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal | ||||||||