Kenneth L. Reusser | |
Birth Date: | 27 January 1920 |
Placeofburial: | Willamette National Cemetery, Happy Valley, Oregon, US |
Birth Place: | Cloverdale, Oregon, US |
Death Place: | Clackamas, Oregon, US |
Allegiance: | United States of America |
Serviceyears: | 1941–1968 |
Rank: | Colonel |
Unit: | VMA 214 "Black Sheep" Squadron VMFA 312 "Checkerboards" Squadron |
Commands: | Marine Aircraft Group 16 |
Battles: | World War II
Korean War |
Awards: | Navy Cross (2) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star (V Device) Purple Heart (5) Air Medal (18) |
Laterwork: | Lockheed Aircraft Piasecki Helicopter Corp |
Kenneth L. Reusser (January 27, 1920 – June 20, 2009) 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.
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.
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), where he earned his first Navy Cross:
His wingman was Robert R. Klingman "Story of Bob; drummer, pilot, legend" Defense Media Activity
On August 5, 1950, Major Kenneth L. Reusser became the first Marine to be decorated for gallantry during the Korean War when he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second award of the Navy Cross for while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), attached to the U.S.S. SICILY (CVE-118), during an aerial attack on enemy targets in the Inch'on:
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.
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 first wife, Patricia, and his second wife, Gertrude; and sons, Richard C. and Kenneth L. Jr., and was preceded in death by his daughter Patty Jo.
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
Badge | Naval Aviator insignia | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 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 and 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 | |||||||||