355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Share #1 Posted June 25, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted June 25, 2017 SSgt. Steinharter receiving his Distinguished Flying Cross during WW2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted June 25, 2017 Diary of his missions that he kept during the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted June 25, 2017 Share #4 Posted June 25, 2017 Wow ! 1st Korean War aviation KIA I have ever seen !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted June 25, 2017 Missing In Action telegram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted June 25, 2017 Killed in Action telegram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted June 25, 2017 Telegram stating that his was not a POW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted June 25, 2017 Last letter home before he was killed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon54 Posted June 25, 2017 Share #9 Posted June 25, 2017 Simply awesome!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #10 Posted June 25, 2017 Letter from the Group Chaplain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted June 25, 2017 Letter from Hoyt Vandenberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #12 Posted June 25, 2017 Letter from the 49th Fighter Bomber Group commanding officer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted June 25, 2017 Letter from Gen. Weyland, Commanding General Far Eastern Air Forces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #14 Posted June 25, 2017 Letter from General Mark Clark. I believe this is his actual signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted June 25, 2017 Mark Clark Letter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share #16 Posted June 25, 2017 Here is a scan of the engravings to hopefully show them a little better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted June 25, 2017 Share #17 Posted June 25, 2017 A heart crushing group. Thanks for sharing. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted June 26, 2017 Share #18 Posted June 26, 2017 Wow. Thank you for sharing this story. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decwriter Posted June 26, 2017 Share #19 Posted June 26, 2017 Awesome Korean War issued medals and documents! Thanks for sharing. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted June 26, 2017 Share #20 Posted June 26, 2017 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 More sharing options...
viking73 Posted June 26, 2017 Share #21 Posted June 26, 2017 Incedible stuff! Thanks for posting this. Sad, but it's very interesting to see. -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted June 26, 2017 Share #22 Posted June 26, 2017 Very nice and rare group indeed. Thanks for sharing the history of his service here! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 26, 2017 Share #23 Posted June 26, 2017 A fascinating group! Thank you for sharing his sacrifice with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainofthe7th Posted June 26, 2017 Share #24 Posted June 26, 2017 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 More sharing options...
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