Michael R. Yunck

Michael R. Yunck
Born(1918-08-19)August 19, 1918
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedSeptember 1, 1984 (aged 66)
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
United States Marine Corps
Rank
Colonel
Conflicts
World 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. During the Guadalcanal Campaign, he flew with Marine Observation Squadron 251 (VMO-251) from October 26 – December 10, 1942, against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area.[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

  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.
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