Mighty Thunder 
Colonel James Helms Kasler
Born
May 2, 1926
South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
Died
April 24, 2014 (aged 87)
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
Allegiance
United States
Service/Branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
1945–1975
Rank
Colonel
Unit
335th TFS 4th Fighter Wing
Commands Held
336th Tactical Fighter Wing
Battles/Wars
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Korean War
Vietnam War
Awards
Air Force Cross (3)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (9)
Bronze Star (2)
Purple Heart (2)
Air Medal (11)
On August 8, 1966, while flying F-105D-31-RE Thunderchief 62-4343 on his 91st combat mission over North Vietnam while with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, then Major James H. Kasler was searching for his downed wingman at treetop level when he was shot down by intense North Vietnamese ground fire. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war for 6½ years until March 4, 1973.
Mighty Thunder is reaching out to those who may have known Colonel James Helms Kasler. I’m looking for your stories, your memories and pictures to be included with my tribute to Colonel Kasler on August 8, 2016.
Send an email or use the contact form to send us whatever information you’d like (including pictures).
Thank you…Mighty Thunder
