Veteran Tributes

James H. Kasler

Rank, Service

Colonel O-6, U.S. Air Force

Veteran of:

U.S. Army Air Forces 1943-1947
U.S. Air Force 1947-1975
World War II 1943-1945
Cold War 1945-1975
Korean War 1951-1952
Vietnam War 1966-1973 (POW)

Tribute:

Jim Kasler was born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1926. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on November 24, 1943, and flew combat missions in the Pacific as a B-29 tail gunner. Kasler received his commission in the Air Force through the Aviation Cadet Program on March 24, 1951. During the Korean War, he flew 101 combat missions and was credited with shooting down 6 Mig-15s. After the war, Col Kasler served in the United States, Canada, and Europe. He flew combat missions in Vietnam in the F-105 Thunderchief and was shot down and taken as a Prisoner of War on August 8, 1966. Kasler spent the next 2,400 days as a Prisoner of War of the North Vietnamese. He was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973, and soon resumed his flying career. Col Kasler retired from the Air Force as the Vice Commander of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing on May 1, 1975. Col Kasler is the only person ever to be awarded three Air Force Crosses.

His 3rd Air Force Cross Citation reads:

The Air Force Cross is presented to James Helms Kasler, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1968 through July 1968. During this period, Colonel Kasler accomplished an amazing feat of resistance against the North Vietnamese when they attempted to force him to meet a visiting delegation and appear before television and news cameras. Through personal fortitude and absolute heroism, he completely withstood the most brutal of Vietnamese tortures and caused his captors extreme embarrassment in their failure to gain useful propaganda statements. Through extraordinary heroism, staunch display of courage, and willpower in the face of the enemy, Colonel Kasler reflected the highest credit on himself and the United States Air Force.