Carl F. Karst
Carl Frederick Karst | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 27, 1930 Galatia, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 1968 (aged 38) Vietnam |
| Allegiance |  United States |
Branch |  United States Air Force |
Service years | 1954–1968 |
Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron |
Conflicts | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Purple Heart |
| Memorials | Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
Col. Carl Frederick Karst (October 27, 1930 – November 16, 1968) was a United States Air Force Colonel who served during the Vietnam War.[1][2]
Military career
Karst had 14 years of service in the Air Force. He was assigned to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, piloting the O-1 Bird Dog for forward air control missions.[1]
On November 16, 1968, his O-1F Bird Dog was shot down over Vietnam, leading to his initial MIA status. He was declared dead in 1974, with remains recovered later.[3]
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. His status was changed to killed in action in 1974.[4]
Burial
Karst's remains were returned by Vietnam in 1989 and identified in 1993. On October 22, 1993, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in a full military ceremony attended by his widow Ruth Nelson (remarried), family, friends, and U.S. Senator Bob Dole. The event featured a horse-drawn caisson, F-16 missing man formation flyover, 21-gun salute, and "Taps".[4]
Memorials
His name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel W39, Line 2,[2] and on the Vietnam Memorial at Kansas State University. A Freedom Tree was planted in his honor at the Russell Memorial Park in 1973.[5]
References
- 1 2 "Bio, Karst, Carl F. - P.O.W. Network". Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- 1 2 "COL Carl Frederick Karst, Galatia, KS". VirtualWall.org. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- ↑ "Carl F. Karst". Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- 1 2 Webb, Tom (2 October 1993). "WITH FULL HONORS KANSAS NATIVE, SHOT DOWN IN '68, BURIED AT ARLINGTON". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
- ↑ "THE FREEDOM TREE LT. COL. CARL KARST MEMORIAL PLAQUE". National War Memorial Registry.