Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Charles
Murphy
Kunz
November 7, 1919

–

November 12, 1999

Charles Kunz became a World War II Marine Corps ACE, credited with shooting down EIGHT enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 22 (MAG-22)

    Division:

    Naval Air Station, Midway

    Action Date:

    June 4, 1942
    Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Charles Murphy Kunz (MCSN: 0-7470), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Section Leader and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Leading his section in a dauntless and aggressive assault against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, First Lieutenant Kunz shot down two Navy Aichi Type dive bombers, thereby aiding in the disruption of the enemy plans and lessening the effectiveness of their attack. His courageous determination, maintained at great personal risk against tremendous odds, contributed to the success of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 323 (VMF-323)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Sicily (CVE-118)

    Action Date:

    June 21, 1951

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Charles Murphy Kunz (MCSN: 0-7470), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot and Commanding Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE, attached to the U.S.S. SICILY (CVE-118), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 21 June 1951. Participating in a determined strike against a strategic enemy railroad and ammunition supply depot at Kyomipo, Major Kunz skillfully led his flight to a position near the objective and directed the unit to orbit while he personally reconnoitered the target area. When his plane was subjected to heavy automatic weapons fire from three hostile gun emplacements, he quickly located the enemy positions and carried out a series of daring low-level rocket and strafing attacks. Although his aircraft was hit by hostile fire, he fearlessly pressed home his attacks at extremely low altitude and completely neutralized the enemy batteries before calling his flight to the assigned target. By his courageous leadership, outstanding ability as an airman and resolute devotion to duty, Major Kunz contributed directly to the success of his flight in destroying the hostile supply depot and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311

    Action Date:

    September 11 – 29, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Charles Murphy Kunz (MCSN: 0-7470), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-311) during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Maloelap, Wotje and Mille, from 11 to 29 September 1944. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Major Kunz carried out strikes against hostile installations in the face of effective hostile anti-aircraft fire and inflicted damage on the enemy, thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty throughout these hazardous missions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224)

    Action Date:

    September 15 – 29, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Charles Murphy Kunz (MCSN: 0-7470), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-224) during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands, from 15 to 29 September 1942. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Second Lieutenant Kunz carried out combat air patrols in the face of heavy enemy air opposition and effective anti-aircraft fire and inflicted damage on hostile installations, thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty throughout these hazardous missions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224)

    Action Date:

    August 30 – September 14, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Charles Murphy Kunz (MCSN: 0-7470), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-224) in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Solomon Islands Campaign, 30 August to 14 September 1942. While operating with his squadron from an airfield on Guadalcanal Island, Second Lieutenant Kunz, with cool courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety, shot down three enemy planes. His superb airmanship and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.