Kenneth L. Reusser

Kenneth L. Reusser ((1920-01-27)January 27, 1920 – June 20, 2009(2009-06-20) (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

References

• Stars and Stripes, "Marine Corps pilot, decorated for heroic efforts in 3 wars, dies in Oregon at 89", 2009-07-01
• The Oregonian, "Friends mourn Milwaukie fighter pilot who served in three wars", Rick Bella, 2009-06-27
• Kenneth L. Reusser at Find a Grave