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Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
Democrat Herald ^
| 6/28/09
Posted on 06/28/2009 5:57:28 PM PDT by Borges
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at democratherald.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: marineaviation; obituary; reusser; veteran
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1
posted on
06/28/2009 5:57:28 PM PDT
by
Borges
To: Borges
Rest In Peace, Col. Kenneth L. Reusser, and our prayers are with your loved ones. Thank you for defending our freedom.
2
posted on
06/28/2009 5:58:55 PM PDT
by
NonValueAdded
("I've conquered my goddam willpower." Don Marquis)
To: Borges
RIP HERO. Thank you for keeping us free.
To: Borges
Rest in Peace, valiant hero of the Republic.
4
posted on
06/28/2009 6:00:38 PM PDT
by
2ndDivisionVet
(In memory of my father, Gunnery Sgt., USMC, WWII and Korea, 1925-2002)
To: Borges
Used his plane’s propeller to knock an enemy observation plane out, and blew up a North Korean oil tanker, nearly blowing himself up in the process.
Wonder what his nickname was.
5
posted on
06/28/2009 6:03:09 PM PDT
by
bajabaja
To: Borges
Col. Kenneth L. Reusser:
May the Lord bless and keep you....and make His Face shine upon you...
....and bring you Peace.
6
posted on
06/28/2009 6:03:12 PM PDT
by
B.O. Plenty
(Give war a chance...)
To: Borges
7
posted on
06/28/2009 6:13:58 PM PDT
by
Red_Devil 232
(VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
To: Borges
Let’s see - true American hero or pedophile freak: who’s death will get more press?
Some things in this country are shameful.
8
posted on
06/28/2009 6:16:39 PM PDT
by
bolobaby
To: Borges
9
posted on
06/28/2009 6:17:19 PM PDT
by
Cindy
To: bolobaby
10
posted on
06/28/2009 6:17:49 PM PDT
by
Cindy
To: Borges
To: NonValueAdded
I would love to have seen the Col. in a meeting with Barbara Boxer and have her pull that “don’t call me ma’am call me senator” BS and have him cut her derriere off with his propeller.
To: Borges
How sad we are losing men of this caliber on a daily basis now. Thank God they were here and served when they did.
God Bless Col. Reusser, his family and friends.
13
posted on
06/28/2009 6:24:55 PM PDT
by
EDINVA
(A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul -- G. B. Shaw)
To: Borges
Prayers for his eternal rest...
To: Borges
Rest in Peace Col. Reusser.
15
posted on
06/28/2009 6:26:12 PM PDT
by
Liberty Valance
(Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
To: Gay State Conservative
They're still making them. Maybe not as many as in the past but they're still good to go.
MARSOC Marines in Afghanistan. Semper Fi!
16
posted on
06/28/2009 6:28:09 PM PDT
by
12Gauge687
(Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice)
To: Borges
Reusser flew 253 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was shot down in all three, five times in all. The Greatest Generation indeed.
17
posted on
06/28/2009 6:29:11 PM PDT
by
usconservative
(When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
To: bolobaby
Interesting, a Hollywood black, gay, pedophile freak is canonized by the liberal media, but a Duke University Administration white, gay, pedophile freak who offers up his 5 year old adopted black son for sex is totally ignored. Is it because he doesn't play lacrosse?
To: 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2nd Bn, 11th Mar; 68 grunt; A.A. Cunningham; ASOC; AirForceBrat23; Ajnin; ...
19
posted on
06/28/2009 6:35:30 PM PDT
by
freema
(MarineNiece,Daughter,Wife,Friend,Sister,Friend,Aunt,Friend,Mother,Friend,Cousin, FRiend)
To: bajabaja
Looks like he shot himself down on two occasions. I wonder if that counts towards an ace.
20
posted on
06/28/2009 6:41:33 PM PDT
by
Blood of Tyrants
(Socialism is the belief that most people are better off if everyone was equally poor and miserable.)
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