Earl Kenneth Neifer

Korean War
Service #3117090
UnitUSS Essex
RankChief Aviation Ordnanceman U.S. Navy
Date of DeathSeptember 16 1951
StatusMissing In Action
Memorialized
Courts of the Missing
Court
8
Combat Action Ribbon (Navy)
Korean Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Navy Unit Commendation
Purple Heart
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Neifer was awarded the Navy Commendation Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Notes
Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Neifer was a member of the crew of the aircraft carrier USS ESSEX (CV-9). On September 16, 1951, a damaged F-2H Banshee fighter tried to land on the carrier. The tail hook did not engage and the aircraft bounced over the barriers, struck other aircraft and burst into flames. The pilot and six crew members were killed. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.