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Colonel Martin W. Kasischke

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Martin, 91 years old, of Sun City, AZ, passed away on October 4, 2019, after a struggle with Alzheimer’s.

He was born in St Joseph, Michigan on July 31, 1928. After graduating from St Joseph High School in Michigan he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Texas A&I, Kingsville, TX. He also attended Pan American University at Edinburg, TX.

Colonel Kasischke entered active duty through the Aviation Cadet program in August 1952. He received his pilot wings and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Airforce in September 1953. In December 1957, he was assigned to the 86th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Youngstown, OH, where he served as an F-102 pilot and Flight Commander.

From May 1960 to May 1962 he was assigned to the 509th Flight Interceptor Squadron and the 405th fighter Wing, Philippine Islands where he served as Flight Maintenance Officer to Quality Control Officer. During this period, he was frequently assigned temporary duty of Kung Juan Air Bas, Taiwan and Don Muang Air Base, Thailand. He returned to the United States in May 1962, assigned to the 94th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan serving as an F-106 Flight Commander Training Officer.

In September 1966, he was assigned to the 46th Tactical Fighter Squadron with an F-4C replacement Training Unit at Mc Dill Airforce Base in Florida. Followed by duty at Danang Air Base in Vietnam. He served as Maintenance Officer with 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He flew 49 combat missions in F-4 aircraft. He was a Command Pilot with more than 4900 hours flying time in aircraft F-86, F-102, F-106 and F-4. He was promoted to Colonel on December 1, 1973. Prior to his retirement he spent one year as Commander in Greenland Air Base. He retired in 1982 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals and Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters. He enjoyed reading, cards and playing golf.

Colonel Kasischke leaves his wife, Mildred of 19 years; one son; three daughters; 7 granddaughters; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Arizona Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.