SEMMLER, Kenneth Ian
| Service Number: | O44135 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Tanunda, South Australia, 31 January 1945 |
| Home Town: | Tanunda, Barossa, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Jakobi Lutheran Primary School, Nuriootpa High School and Concordia College (Adelaide) |
| Occupation: | Fighter Pilot, Farmer |
| Memorials: | Highgate Concordia College Vietnam Honour Roll, Lyndoch Korea & Vietnam War Memorial Plaque, Williamstown & District Honour Roll |
Vietnam War Service
| 1 Jul 1962: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, O44135 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Dec 1968: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, O44135 | |
| 25 Dec 1968: | Involvement | |
| 25 Dec 1968: | Involvement | |
| 17 Feb 1970: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, O44135 | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches |
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Born in Tanunda on 31 January 1945, Kenneth (known as Ken) Semmler was educated at St Jakobi Lutheran Primary School before going to Nuriootpa High School. For his final year of school he moved to Concordia College in Adelaide.
A member of Nuriootpa's High School's army cadets he joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) after leaving school in 1962 as a fresh faced jet jockey. Operating as a fighter pilot with the rank of Flight Lieutenant he flew Sabres and Mirages.
He saw some service during the Vietnam War in the RAAF's transport section and also the RAAF's headquarters element. In 1970 he also saw further service with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, USAF flying in OV-10 Broncos as a Forward Air Controller. For his work on 6 June 1970 whilst serving with the 19th TASS he was mentioned in despatches in 1971.
Later, Ken worked as an aide de camp to the then Governor General Paul Hasluck. In 1972 he mustered out of the RAAF and returned home to work on the farm after his father died. He became closely connected to the Viticulture Industry in the Barossa and was on several boards. With time on his hands he also became connected to several schools in the area and saw increasing service with the Lutheran Education system. For some years he also mentored new migrants who came to Adelaide, however, he would later return to the Barossa and farming.
For his work in Lutheran Education and the community, in 2014 Ken Semmler was recognised and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM.)