World Orders and Decorations

Three: Second Lieutenant M. O. Grunder, 2 (Flying Cheetahs) Squadron, South African Air Force, who was killed in action whilst leading a flight of Mustangs against an anti-aircraft battery at Youndong, Korea, 1 September 1951 South Africa, Korea 1950-53 (2/Lt. M. O. Grunder) officially impressed naming; United States of America, Air Medal, bronze (Martin O. Grunder) officially engraved; U.N. Korea (2/Lt. M. O. Grunder.) officially impressed naming, nearly extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Martin Olckers Grunder was the son of A. J. Grunder of Durban, South Africa. He served as a Mustang pilot with 2 (Flying Cheetahs) Squadron, South African Air Force during the Korean War. Second Lieutenant Grunder was killed in action whilst flying North American F-51 Mustang #342, 1 September 1951. He led a flight of four aircraft on a sortie to attack rail and supply routes. After completing the primary sortie, they headed south, and over Youndong Grunder spotted something on the ground, in a wooded area which he went to investigate. It was an anti-aircraft battery, and he proceeded to strafe this, followed by the rest of his flight. His No.2, Major Wiggett, lost sight of Grunder in the sun as he pulled up from his strafing run. Shortly after this, Major Wiggett saw a Mustang canopy and some papers floating down at 1500 feet, but no sign of Grunder's aircraft. A search revealed the aircraft wreckage on the ground, but no sign of the pilot, and no parachute was found. Second Lieutenant Grunder is commemorated on the United Nations Pusan Memorial, South Korea. Approximately 34 South African Aircrew killed during the Korean War.