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| Harry Eugene Rushing
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| NO. 17649 • 17 September 1927 – 3 March 1952
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| Killed in action 3 March 1952 in Korea, aged 24 years
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0n 3 March 1952, less than two years after graduation, 2d Lieutenant
Harry Eugene Rushing, United States Air Force, took off from his base in South
Korea on another mission. As he crossed the Han River, going north, his plane
lost its coolant and burst into flames. Athough he was able to return to
friendly soil before jumping, the wind blew him back into the Han estuary.
Harry's wingman, Tom Casserly, courageously crashlanded nearby to help if
possible, but the icy waters had already taken their toll.
Harry was 24 years old when he died, an age when most men are still
planning for a life of fulfillment. He had prepared well for a life of love and
service and boldly lived it. No man led a more meaningful life or gave more. He
wanted to become a cadet, and he did. He wanted to become a husband and father,
and he did. He wanted to fly, and he did. He wanted to serve, and he did -
to the fullest extent.
Harry was born on 17 September 1927 in Montgomery, Alabama. Born into an
Army Air Corps family, he naturally moved from pillar to post, attending
schools in Hawaii, Texas, Florida, Alabama, and elsewhere.
"Harry learned quite young to work hard for the valuable things in
life," his father said.
Long before he was graduated with honors from Lanier High School in
Alabama, in 1945, he had set his mind on a flying career. By this time he had
also chosen Jean to share his future. Although he had already won an
appointment to West Point, he enrolled in Marion Military Academy for further
preparation. There he maintained the standard of excellence he had set for
himself, excelling in academics, athletics, and leadership. Throughout these
early years, the ordinary challenges of school were not enough to satisfy
Harry's energy and curiosity. He found many other outlets in clubs, hobbies,
and social life. By the time he reported to West Point in July 1946, Harry
already knew what he stood for; what the valuable things in life were.
In 1946 we, his classmates at the Academy. soon fell under the spell of
Cadet Rushing's infectious personality and his utter honesty. His parents say
that he was a "quiet, serious-minded person." We who wrestled,
worked, worried, bantered, and stormed with him through four years in H-1
Company knew him to be an unusually warm and sincere friend who more than held
his own in the give-and-take of cadet life. In athletics, win or
lose, he made his enthusiasm and determination felt. He tried everything:
football, wrestling, crew, lacrosse, handball, water polo, weight-lifting,
track, and even skiing. His drive pushed each one of us to extend ourselves a
little more. The issues resolved on these athletic fields were insignificant
compared with those he would have to resolve later, but Harry knew only one way
- always give your best.
With all of the camaraderie and games, Harry never lost sight of his main
purpose - to prepare himself for a career in the Air Force. There was no
compromising with this goal. He approached school assignments in the same
manner as he later approached operational assignments. They were a part of his
duty to which he would give nothing less than his maximum effort. The last time
many of us saw Harry was at graduation in 1950. That flashing grin seemed to
challenge life itself as he hurried down the ramp after receiving his diploma,
confident that he had done his best.
Shortly after graduation Jean and Harry were married. The North Korean
attack in June 1950 suddenly changed their carefree tempo of living to one of
serious preparation. After Basic Flight School at Randolph AFB, Fighter School
at Craig AFB, and Gunnery School at Luke AFB, he went to Korea, leaving Jean
and Harry Jr., in Montgomery, Alabama. Three months later he took off on what
was to be his last mission.
The citation accompanying Harry's posthumous award of the Air Medal
reads:
Despite the hazards of marginal weather conditions, aerial interception,
and intense antiaircraft artillery fire, his exceptional airmanship in combat
operations contributed immeasurably to the successful execution of the United
Nations mission. The technical skill, personal courage, and selfless devotion
to duty which he displayed reflect the highest credit upon himself, his
organization, and the United States Air Force.
That was 13 years ago. But the image of his penetrating dark eyes and
flashing smile is just as vivid in our minds today as it was in 1950 when we
parted at graduation. Today, we, his classmates, feel a particular pride and
gratitude in identifying him as one of us. He gave us the warmth of friendship,
the inspiration of example, and the benefit of his sacrifice. When he was
finally called away, he left the world a better place.
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USMA 1950