Ken Reusser

Colonel Kenneth L. Reusser is the most decorated Marine Aviator in history, having flown 213 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.

World War II

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 w/ the enemy. Injured severely, he was rescued by local islanders who nursed him until word could be passed and a recovery made.

Ken served as a Captain in Marine Fighting Squadron 314 (VMF-314), and earned his first Navy Cross in combat off Okinowa

Koran War

On 5 August 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 savaged 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 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

Served as commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16