A True American Hero

While walking the dogs this afternoon I walked passed an elderly gentleman wearing a cap that represented an arm of the Military Service.  He said something to me in spanish and I stopped to hear what he said. A short but sweet conversation ensued.  I asked him if he had served in the military and he told me that he was born in Cuba and when he was just 21 he saw a sign about serving your country . . . . so he immigrated to the U.S. and joined the Air Force!  He became a pilot and  expressed how grateful he was that he never had to kill anyone.  He served for many years until he said laughingly, " they asked how long I was going to be staying".  He was an amiable man, and very gracious.  I had the opportunity to say thank you for serving our country.

He smiled and we parted ways as I returned to my home and he, his.

  

On June 28, 2009, Marine Col. Kenneth L. Reusser passed away at the age of 89. 

Col. Reusser flew 253 combat missions in WWII, the Korean AND the  Vietnam War. He was shot down in all 3 wars - 5 times in all.  He earned 2 Navy Crosses, 4 Purple Hearts, 2 Legions of merit, among his 59 medals.

"In 1945, while based in Okinowa, he stripped down his F4U-4 Cosair fighter and intercepted a Japanese observation plane at an altitude much higher than usual. When his guns froze, he flew his fighter into the observation plane, HACKING OFF IT'S TAIL WITH HIS PROPELLER.

In 1950, while serving in the storied "Black Sheep Squadron", he led an attack on a North Korean tank-repair facility at Inchon, then destroyed an oil tanker - almost blowing himself out of the sky in the process.

During the Vietnam War, Reusser flew helicopters. he was leading a Marine Air Group in a rescue mission when his own "Huey" was shot down.  He needed skin grafts over 35% of his badly burned body.

Reusser was born January 27, 1920, the son of a minister.  While still a teenager, he became a committed Christian, which remained a big part of his life.

Reusser lived a "Tom Sawyer-ish" existence, jumping off a barn roof to test a parachute, racing motorcycles to help pay for college, and earning a pilots license before WW II broke out. 

Kenneth Reusser was called the most decorated Marine aviator in history.

If you are like me, it is difficult to see "The Greatest Generation" passing away.  Their training and proving ground was WW II, and so many of them rose to the occasion becoming the hero's of their generation.  Sadly, the "hero's" of today have become the Michael Jackson's and Michael Jordon's.  Men of unsurpassed talent, but could they hold a candle to the bravery and integrity of one such Col. Reusser? I dare say, not.