Photo added by LAWRENCE HEIDLEBAUGH

Ira Cassius “Ike” Kepford Veteran

Birth: 29 May 1919
Harvey, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Death: 21 Jan 1987 (aged 67)
Harbor Springs, Emmet County, Michigan, USA
Burial: Lakeside Cemetery

Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID: 76466955 View Source

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Memorial
Photos 11
Flowers 10

Memorials
Region
North America
USA
Michigan
Muskegon County
Muskegon
Lakeside Cemetery

Created by: LAWRENCE HEIDLEBAUGH
Added: Sep 13, 2011
Find a Grave Memorial ID:
Sponsored by Gus
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Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76466955/ira_cassius-kepford: accessed ), memorial page for Ira Cassius “Ike” Kepford (29 May 1919–21 Jan 1987), Find a Grave Memorial ID 76466955, citing Lakeside Cemetery, Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan, USA; Maintained by LAWRENCE HEIDLEBAUGH (contributor 47226871).

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Ike`s Corsair Fighter aircraft showing 16 victories

Added by: LAWRENCE HEIDLEBAUGH on 13 Sep 2011

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Added by: LAWRENCE HEIDLEBAUGH on 20 Sep 2011

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Added by: Richard Mullally on 04 Jan 2019

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From Facebook page, WW2 Colourised Photos

https://www.facebook.com/393166910813107/photos/a.393169424146189.1073741828.393166910813107/987285194734606/?type=3&theater

Lt (jg) Ira Cassius "Ike" Kepford of Harvey, IL and his F4U-1a Corsair (Serial Nº: 55995 "White 29")

By February 1944 he had scored 16 confirmed kills and one unconfirmed, in five months. Leading ace of VF-17 "The Jolly Rogers", and top scoring US Navy ace until June 1944, seventh top scoring USN ace by the end of the war. He was also the top scoring USN Corsair ace of the entire war.

On the Nov. 11, 1943 strike at Rabaul Kepford downed four enemy aircraft, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross. Flying cover for the carriers in Roger Hedrick's flight, he lit into a gaggle of Kates. Flying through Bunker Hill's intense AA, he downed a Kate only 1,000 yards from the ship. Low on fuel, he started back to base when he spotted six unescorted Vals. Making the most of the opportunity, he quickly downed three of the slow, nearly helpless dive bombers. During his firing run on a fourth Val, he ran out of ammo and realized he was practically empty of fuel. Ike radioed for a course and permission to land on a carrier(Corsairs were still ground based at that time, began operating from carriers in mid 1944). Bunker Hill took him aboard, happy to honor one of their flying defenders. Even the distinguished Capt. Ballentine was pleased to serve Ensign Kepford a cup of coffee. After a relaxing half-hour, Kepford took off in his re-fueled and re-armed Corsair. He racked up four kills and eleven hours of flight time that day.

He was presented with two Navy Crosses, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal and the Silver Star, he was actually considered under‑decorated by his commanding officer.

Died: January 18, 1987, Harbor Springs, MI.

(Colorized by Craig Kelsay from the USA)
https://www.facebook.com/wethepeoplephotos/?fref=nf

Added by: Michael & Allison Dillingham on 22 Sep 2016

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VF-17 - The Jolly Rogers

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F4U Corsair at Bougainvillea 1944-1945

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16 Kills -Top Scoring Ace of Fighting Squadron VF-17 - The Jolly Rogers

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Added by: theck343 on 28 Oct 2020

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