Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Kenneth L. Reusser (MCSN: 0-11066), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), Marine Air Group THIRTY-THREE (MAG-33), FOURTH Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 312 (VMF-312)

    Regiment:

    Marine Air Group 33 (MAG-33)

    Division:

    4th Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    May 10, 1945

    SPOT AWARD, Commander, Amphibious Forces Pacific: Serial 00698 (SofN Signed November 14, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Kenneth L. Reusser (MCSN: 0-11066), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Division Leader and Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMF-312), Marine Air Group THIRTY-THREE (MAG-33), FOURTH Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 10 May 1945. After expending his ammunition on an enemy reconnaissance plane while flying on combat air patrol, Captain Reusser skillfully maneuvered his plane to enable a friendly aircraft to make a close-range attack. When the guns of his wingman failed, he flew with his wingtip obstructing the Japanese pilot’s evasionary tactics and, by allowing the wingman the opportunity of running his propeller over the tail surface of the hostile ship, contributed in large measure to the eventual crash of the enemy craft. His superb airmanship, perseverance and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    August 5, 1950

    Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 124 (March 5, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Major Kenneth L. Reusser (MCSN: 0-11066), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), attached to the U.S.S. SICILY (CVE-118), during an aerial attack on enemy targets in the Inch’on Area of Korea, on 5 August 1950. As Flight Leader of a Combat Air Patrol assigned the mission of seeking targets of opportunity, Major Reusser led his flight in a strafing attack against a hostile factory, destroying several vehicles and 30 of the enemy in a truck despite intense and accurate hostile anti-aircraft fire. Suspecting that the strong defenses protected vehicles of war, he ordered his flight to orbit the target at 3000 feet while he investigated the factory at window-level and, on his second pass made in the face of automatic fire coming from the windows, discovered that the factory was a vehicle and tank assembly plant. With both wings of his plane damaged by anti-aircraft fire, he flew back to the U.S.S. SICILY and returned to the target with napalm and rockets, destroying the plant with napalm and blasting six completed enemy tanks and four trucks in the factory courtyard in spite of accurate anti-aircraft fire. This mission completed, he led his flight into the heavily fortified Inch’on Harbor and destroyed a large oil storage tank. Determined to inflict the greatest possible damage on the enemy even though his heavy ordinance was expended, he dived to within ten feet of a camouflaged oil tanker and raked the hull with his 20-mm guns, causing an explosion which not only destroyed the enemy ship, but also damaged his own craft and blew it out of control. Successful in returning his crippled plane to carrier base, Major Reusser, by his gallant fighting spirit, courage and devotion to duty, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214)

    Division:

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

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Kenneth L. Reusser (MCSN: 0-11066), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), attached to the U.S.S. SICILY (CVE-118), in action in Korea.