Ernest Franklin Coble Jr
Military
Dave
Object Number - UPL 36835 - Ernest Coble
His other lifelong passion was flying which began for him when he volunteered for World War II at the age of 20. Erk was a B17 Co-pilot in the European Theater and flew numerous bombing missions where he became a Purple Heart recipient. After an honorable discharge from the war, his many experiences led to a career in flying. From crop dusting in the southern states to eventually beginning his career with Pan American World Airways, he circled the globe many times, including 36 missions ferrying soldiers into and out of Vietnam. Starting out on turbo-prop aircraft, he ultimately retired as a Boeing 747 Captain. He was also a recreational pilot and owned both single engine and twin-engine airplanes.
Connections
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Units served with
![Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378743.jpg.webp?itok=HBB0lqjl)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
3 July 1924 | ||
|
Enlisted |
11 December 1942 | ||
|
Died |
2 January 2019 | Transitions LifeCare |
Revisions
Added an Association to the 100th BG, the parent bomb group of the 349th, 350th, 351st & 418th Bomb Squadrons & the 412th Air Service group.
His other lifelong passion was flying which began for him when he volunteered for World War II at the age of 20. Erk was a B17 pilot in the European Theater and flew numerous bombing missions where he became a Purple Heart recipient. After an honorable discharge from the war, his many experiences led to a career in flying. From crop dusting in the southern states to eventually beginning his career with Pan American World Airways, he circled the globe many times, including 36 missions ferrying soldiers into and out of Vietnam. Starting out on turbo-prop aircraft, he ultimately retired as a Boeing 747 Captain. He was also a recreational pilot and owned both single engine and twin-engine airplanes.
100th Bomb Group Foundation Directory, 2000 - 2001 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
