Ike Kepford was born to parents George Raymond and Emma McLaughlin KEPFORD. He was a star halfback at Northwestern University.
Kepford earned his Wings at Corpus Christi, Texas and Miami, Florada on Nov 5,1942 and then was assigned to Fighting Squadron VF-17 (Jolly Rogers)the following January.
During the Battle of Solomon Sea, Kepford chased enemy fighters thru AAA from his own fleet to down four Jap aircraft and damage a fifth -- receiving the Navy Cross. Then on 29 January He led his wingman "Teeth" Burriss in an attack on 12 enemy fighters over Rabaul where he and Burriss each scored four kills and for which Kepford was awarded a Gold Star.
In five months of Combat duty, Ira Kepford scored a total of 16 confirmed victories and 1 probable. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Gold Star, Silver Star, Three Distinguished Flying Crosses, The Air Medal, Unit Commendation-VF-17 and American Defense Service Medal.
Kepford was returned to the States and assigned to Fleet Air Command and eventually Staff Command Fleet Air West Coast.
Kepford earned his Wings at Corpus Christi, Texas and Miami, Florada on Nov 5,1942 and then was assigned to Fighting Squadron VF-17 (Jolly Rogers)the following January.
During the Battle of Solomon Sea, Kepford chased enemy fighters thru AAA from his own fleet to down four Jap aircraft and damage a fifth -- receiving the Navy Cross. Then on 29 January He led his wingman "Teeth" Burriss in an attack on 12 enemy fighters over Rabaul where he and Burriss each scored four kills and for which Kepford was awarded a Gold Star.
In five months of Combat duty, Ira Kepford scored a total of 16 confirmed victories and 1 probable. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Gold Star, Silver Star, Three Distinguished Flying Crosses, The Air Medal, Unit Commendation-VF-17 and American Defense Service Medal.
Kepford was returned to the States and assigned to Fleet Air Command and eventually Staff Command Fleet Air West Coast.
Ike Kepford was born to parents George Raymond and Emma McLaughlin KEPFORD. He was a star halfback at Northwestern University.
Kepford earned his Wings at Corpus Christi, Texas and Miami, Florada on Nov 5,1942 and then was assigned to Fighting Squadron VF-17 (Jolly Rogers)the following January.
During the Battle of Solomon Sea, Kepford chased enemy fighters thru AAA from his own fleet to down four Jap aircraft and damage a fifth -- receiving the Navy Cross. Then on 29 January He led his wingman "Teeth" Burriss in an attack on 12 enemy fighters over Rabaul where he and Burriss each scored four kills and for which Kepford was awarded a Gold Star.
In five months of Combat duty, Ira Kepford scored a total of 16 confirmed victories and 1 probable. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Gold Star, Silver Star, Three Distinguished Flying Crosses, The Air Medal, Unit Commendation-VF-17 and American Defense Service Medal.
Kepford was returned to the States and assigned to Fleet Air Command and eventually Staff Command Fleet Air West Coast.
Kepford earned his Wings at Corpus Christi, Texas and Miami, Florada on Nov 5,1942 and then was assigned to Fighting Squadron VF-17 (Jolly Rogers)the following January.
During the Battle of Solomon Sea, Kepford chased enemy fighters thru AAA from his own fleet to down four Jap aircraft and damage a fifth -- receiving the Navy Cross. Then on 29 January He led his wingman "Teeth" Burriss in an attack on 12 enemy fighters over Rabaul where he and Burriss each scored four kills and for which Kepford was awarded a Gold Star.
In five months of Combat duty, Ira Kepford scored a total of 16 confirmed victories and 1 probable. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Gold Star, Silver Star, Three Distinguished Flying Crosses, The Air Medal, Unit Commendation-VF-17 and American Defense Service Medal.
Kepford was returned to the States and assigned to Fleet Air Command and eventually Staff Command Fleet Air West Coast.
