Author Topic: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89  (Read 1549 times)

roo_ster

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Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« on: June 29, 2009, 11:16:38 AM »
This guy's passing deserves note.



Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89

CLACKAMAS (AP) — Retired Marine Corps Col. Kenneth L. Reusser, called the most decorated Marine aviator in history and was shot down in three wars, has died at age 89.

Reusser flew 253 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was shot down in all three, five times in all.

His 59 medals included two Navy Crosses, four Purple Hearts and two Legions of Merit.

In 1945, while based in Okinawa, he stripped down his F4U-4 Corsair fighter and intercepted a Japanese observation plane at a high altidude. When his guns froze, he flew his fighter into the observation plane, hacking off its tail with his propeller.

In 1950 in Korea led an attack on a North Korean tank-repair facility at Inchon, then destroyed an oil tanker almost blowing himself out of the sky.

In Vietnam he flew helicopters and was leading a rescue mission when his Huey was shot down. He needed skin grafts over 35 percent of his badly burned body.

Reusser, who lived in the Portland suburb of Milwaukie, was born Jan. 27, 1920, the son of a minister.

Reusser raced motorcycles to help pay for college and earning a pilots license before WWII.

After retiring from the Marine Corps he worked for Lockheed Aircraft and the Piasecki Helicopter Corp. He remained active in veterans groups.

Reusser died June 20 of natural causes. He is survived by his wife, Trudy; and sons, Richard C. and Kenneth L. Jr. Interment was Friday in Willamette National Cemetery.



"...he stripped down his F4U-4 Corsair fighter and intercepted a Japanese observation plane at a high altidude. When his guns froze, he flew his fighter into the observation plane, hacking off its tail with his propeller."

Thought I'd repeat that bit.
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roo_ster

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Ben

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2009, 11:19:02 AM »
Quote
he stripped down his F4U-4 Corsair fighter and intercepted a Japanese observation plane at a high altidude. When his guns froze, he flew his fighter into the observation plane, hacking off its tail with his propeller.

Hokey smokes. That's a Real Man <TM> right there. RIP.
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AZRedhawk44

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2009, 11:20:02 AM »
Wow.  A hero indeed... he had ample opportunity to head back home many times over, I'm sure.

May he rest in peace.
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Jamisjockey

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2009, 11:21:26 AM »
Ooorah, sir. See you at the Tavern when my time comes.
JD

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freedom lover

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2009, 11:26:54 AM »
Dayum. May he RIP.

Balog

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2009, 11:35:18 AM »
Wow. Rest in peace brother.
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Hawkmoon

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2009, 11:43:58 AM »
They don't make 'em like that generation any more. I had a first cousin once removed (technically -- he was my mother's first cousin) who also flew in all three (WW2, Korea, and Vietnam). He retired from his business a few years ago, was bored, so at the age of 70+ he went through the complete POST training and became a reserve Sheriff's deputy for his county. He died last year of cancer.

I just can't see many members of the modern "me first, what's in it for me?" generation doing things like that.
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Jamisjockey

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2009, 11:49:51 AM »
They don't make 'em like that generation any more. I had a first cousin once removed (technically -- he was my mother's first cousin) who also flew in all three (WW2, Korea, and Vietnam). He retired from his business a few years ago, was bored, so at the age of 70+ he went through the complete POST training and became a reserve Sheriff's deputy for his county. He died last year of cancer.

I just can't see many members of the modern "me first, what's in it for me?" generation doing things like that.

http://newsblaze.com/story/20070115061044tsop.nb/topstory.html

http://www.defenselink.mil/home/faceofdefense/fod/2006-08/f20060804a.html

http://www.talkingproud.us/Military051404.html


http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/01/marine_medals_010709w/

Ooohrah, that is all.
JD

 The price of a lottery ticket seems to be the maximum most folks are willing to risk toward the dream of becoming a one-percenter. “Robert Hollis”

Thor

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2009, 12:55:27 PM »
On a side note, Frank Piasecki, of Piasecki Helicopter, was the father of the tandem rotor helicopter. I was fortunate enough to have met him at an H-46 celebration that the Navy had held.
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seeker_two

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2009, 12:58:45 PM »
After all those harrowing, death-defying close calls,.....

Quote
Reusser died June 20 of natural causes.

That's one tough cookie. Glad we had him on OUR side....
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Cromlech

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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2009, 01:13:49 PM »
Quote
When his guns froze, he flew his fighter into the observation plane, hacking off its tail with his propeller.


RIP a real hero.  :cool:
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Re: Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2009, 07:49:10 PM »
In 1945, while based in Okinawa, he stripped down his F4U-4 Corsair fighter and intercepted a Japanese observation plane at a high altidude. When his guns froze, he flew his fighter into the observation plane, hacking off its tail with his propeller.

On a positive note, with brass prices what they are, his widow will be a rich woman after she sells his testicles to a scrapyard.