Signed 11th Fighter Patch/Ashtray War Hero Colonel H.A. Kortemeyer DFC PH

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These items were found with each other at the Estate Sale of retired Colonel Henry A. Kortemeyer, Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/ 2 OLC and Purple Heart.

 

 

The 11th Fighter Interceptor Squadron patch is very large (5” diameter), reads: INFERNE IBIMUS and is signed by those under Colonel Kortemeyer’s Command. Most likely fellow Pilots as well as Crew Chiefs. Some of the names include:

Bing Ankley

Ed Woelfel

R.E. Edge

Arthur N. Spellman

Jack Rice

Ronald Weaver

Alex Haig 

Frenchie Navarre

George F. Baird

Pete Peterson 

Win E. DePoo? (Maybe a joke?)

Willie Hammett

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After fifty-five missions in the Pacific Theater, almost all at low level, he was award the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart. Upon his return to the United States in September of 1944, he married Mary Anne Owen of Salem, Oregon, who passed away in 1984. Colonel Kortemeyer served the US Air Force in Germany, Norway and many assignments in the United States. He was Deputy Base Commander at McChord AFB, WA, Kadena AFB, Okinawa. AFB, CO. He was Base Commander at Duluth AFB, MN and Naha AFB, Okinawa and ENT. While stationed At Hamilton Air Force Base in California, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Metal forMeritorious Service. Colonel Kortemeyer retired from the Air Force at Colorado Springs on December 31, 1970. He then worked in the business community for a number of years. Colonel Kortemeyer was 1st Vice President of The Friends of the Air Force Academy Library, was a thirty-five year member of the East Side Rotary Club, a lifetime member of MOAA, the Air Force Association, the Daedalians, the 345tb Bomb Group Association and an Associate Life Member of the AFA Association of Graduates. He was a long-time member of ORBS, American Legion Post 209 and VFW Post 9723. Colonel Kortemeyer was an avid fan of Air Force Academy athletics and was a member of the Air Force Academy Blue and Silver Club and the AFA Falcon Quarterback Club.

 

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