Jump to content

Korean War KIA P-80 Shooting Star Group


355fg
 Share

Recommended Posts

This is a group that I've had for many years and thought that I would share it with forum members. We don't get to see too many Korean War aviation KIA groups and this one is very well documented. Below are just a few images from the extensive documentation of the group. Not shown are his complete flight records, photos and condolence cards from his funeral, original General Order citations for his WW2 awards, and other letters and orders.

 

2nd Lt. Jack C. Steinharter

 

Killed 8 May 1951

9th Fighter Bomber Sq, 49th Fighter Bomber Gp.

 

Lt. Steinharter was part of a flight of four P-80 Shooting Star jets that were providing close air support west of Inje, Korea. After having made approximately eight strafing runs putting napalm, rocket and machine gun fire on the target, his jet was hit by ground fire and he crashed into the ridge he was attacking.

Prior to his death, Lt. Steinharter had served as a gunner on a B-24 with the 448th Bomb Group during WW2 and had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters. In mid-1945 he entered primary flight training and then was assigned to Williams Air Force Base in August

His next assignment was the airbase at Taegu,Korea in April 1950 where he began combat flights in May. Sadly, he only flew three sorties before he was killed.

 

 

post-4651-0-75395100-1498431534_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for sharing such a scarce grouping. Examples of Korean War USAF posthumous awards are fairly rare,

 

Kurt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Captainofthe7th

Thanks for sharing...USAF from Korea is rather difficult to find. The Mark Clark letter is interesting!

 

Rob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...