Colonel Kenneth D. Mertel was commissioned upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 448-45 on 19 May 1945. He commanded two rifle companies in combat in the Korean War and was the S-3 of an Infantry Battalion during the war. He commanded a Combat Aviation Battalion in Vietnam in 1963 and and Airmobile/Airborne Infantry Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division in 1965-66 in Vietnam. He served as a Deputy Brigade Commander, Airmobile/Airborne Infantry Bridage in Vietnam for five months. He commanded the 15th Aviation Group in Europe. | Colonel Mertel's awards and decorations include: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and one V device, 17 Air Medals one with V device, and Legion of Merit.