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Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
Overton
Hunziker
July 6, 1916

–

May 29, 1971

Born:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Home:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Cemetery:

Cremated

After serving as a Fighter Pilot in the Army Air Forces in World War II, where he was credited with shooting down two enemy aircraft in aerial combat, Richard Hunziker transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1969 as a U.S. Air Force Major General. He and his wife were both killed when his Cessna 182 crashed into the mountains near Santa Paula, California, in 1971.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Richard O. Hunziker (ASN: 0-664187), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Hunziker and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    65th Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Richard O. Hunziker (ASN: 0-664187), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 65th Fighter Squadron, in action against the enemy during more than 200 combat missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    65th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    57th Fighter Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 184 (October 6, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Richard Overton Hunziker (ASN: 0-664187), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 65th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Hunziker, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    65th Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Richard O. Hunziker (ASN: 0-664187), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 65th Fighter Squadron, in action against the enemy during more than 200 combat missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    65th Fighter Squadron

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Richard O. Hunziker (ASN: 0-664187), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 65th Fighter Squadron, in action against the enemy during more than 200 combat missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Richard O. Hunziker (ASN: 0-664187), United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Hunziker and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.