Navy Federal Credit Union

Joseph Reinburg became a World War II Marine Corps ACE, credited with shooting down SEVEN enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122)

    Action Date:

    November 2 – 15, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Joseph Hunter Reinburg (MCSN: 0-7464), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot and Commanding Officer of Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-122), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Western Caroline Islands Area from 2 to 15 November 1944. Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Major Reinburg participated in daring bombing and strafing strikes in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire and, launching bold attacks, succeeded in inflicting destruction and severe damage on enemy shipping, material and installations. By his skilled airmanship, courage and gallant devotion to duty, Major Reinburg upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122)

    Action Date:

    June 30 – July 15, 1943

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Joseph Hunter Reinburg (MCSN: 0-7464), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while attached to a Marine Aircraft Wing in aerial combat as leader of a flight of planes during engagements with enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 30 June 1943 to 15 July 1943. Having previously destroyed three enemy fighter planes, Major Reinburg, on 30 June, led a flight of eight fighters against the enemy and, pressing home the attack with cool courage and grim determination, personally destroyed two of the hostile Zeros. On 15 July during a patrol mission, he gallantly led his flight against a large number of Japanese twin-engined bombers, skillfully raked one of the enemy aircraft which crashed in flames and then drove a second bomber down to the sea. His superb airmanship and daring fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121)

    Action Date:

    January 27, 1943

    Board Serial 1134 (October 29, 1951)

    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 Captain Joseph Hunter Reinburg (MCSN: 0-7464), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-121), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Guadalcanal, on 27 January 1943. Participating in a scramble to intercept a large hostile bomber and fighter force and prevent an attack on our installation on Guadalcanal, Captain Reinburg engaged several Japanese fighter craft in aerial combat and, skillfully fighting his plane, succeeded in destroying two enemy airplanes inflicting severe damage on two others. By his airmanship and courageous devotion to duty in the face of hostile aerial opposition, he assisted in driving off the enemy attackers, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122)

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1943

    Commander South Pacific: Serial 001655

    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 Joseph Hunter Reinburg (MCSN: 0-7464), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-122), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, on 15 July 1943. Leading an eight-plane flight on the Rendova Island patrol, Major Reinburg contacted a large number of enemy twin-engined bombers and, pressing home his attack, succeeded in destroying two of them, thereby contributing materially to the success of the mission. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 122 (VMF-122)

    Action Date:

    July 17, 1943 – March 28, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Joseph Hunter Reinburg (MCSN: 0-7464), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO (VMF-122), and subsequently with Marine Air Defense Detachment, Forward Area, Central Pacific, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Marianas and Solomon Islands Areas, from 17 July 1943 to 28 March 1945. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Major Reinburg furnished escort for bomber strikes and carried out strafing attacks against hostile installations on Pagan and Rota Islands, thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of damage on the enemy. His skilled airmanship and courage in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Marine All-Weather Night Fighter Squadron 513 (VMF(AW)(N)-513)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    August 21, 1950

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Joseph Hunter Reinburg (MCSN: 0-7464), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Marine All Weather Night Fighter Squadron FIVE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VMF(AW)(N)-513), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 21 August 1950. Flying at extremely low altitudes in absolute darkness and over mountainous terrain in search of positions from which hostile artillery had pinned down and inflicted heavy casualties on friendly forces, Major Reinburg located the enemy guns by their flashes and, ignoring his personal safety, executed repeated bombing, rocket and strafing attacks against the hostile positions which later were reported destroyed by the ground controller. After all armament was expended, he remained in the area and made repeated passes over enemy positions until friendly troops could move out. By his cool courage, skilled airmanship and aggressive determination, Major Reinburg upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.