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Michael R. Yunck

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Michael R. Yunck
Born(1918-08-19)August 19, 1918
Detroit, Michigan
DiedSeptember 1, 1984 (aged 66)
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Marine Corps
RankColonel
Battles / warsWorld War II
Vietnam War
Korean War
AwardsSilver Star (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Air Medal (3)

Michael Ryan Yunck (August 19, 1918 – September 1, 1984) was a United States Marine Corps aviator and a flying ace of World War II, credited with shooting down five enemy aircraft in aerial combat.[1]

Yunck was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 19, 1918. His action was on October 26 – December 10, 1942 in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area. He was a part of the Battalion, Marine Observation Squadron 251 (VMO-251).[2] He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in the war. He later served as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, where he was awarded a second Silver Star after his leg had to be amputated.[3][4][5] He was also presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Fighter Pilot Aces List". www.au.af.mil. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  2. ^ Tillman, Barrett (2014). US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II. Osprey publishing. p. 123. ISBN 9781782009535.
  3. ^ "Leatherneck Hero". Miami Herald. 12 December 1965.
  4. ^ "Mike Yunck Squadron's "Happy Hour" celebrates MCAS Camp Pendleton's 75". Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  5. ^ Mohr, Charles. "Marines Battle Huge Enemy Unit in Quant Tin area". www.vhpa.org. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  6. ^ "Valor awards for Michael Ryan Yunck". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2016-04-26.