Hugh Gustavus Ashcraft Jr
Military
41-24617 "Southern Comfort" WF-J, badly damaged mission to Rotterdam, 31 march 43, crew abandoned A/C over UK, 1 x KIA, 9 x RTD. Pilot managed to stagger back to belly landing at Beacon Hill, near Wickham Bishops, Witham, Eng.
Rear L-R – 2Lt William J Lakey[Copilot], 2Lt James Alfred Moberly[Nav], Lt Hugh Ashcoft[Pilot], 2Lt Bert M Wells[Bomb], S/Sgt James Patterson[Waist].
Front L-R – T/Sgt Stephen L Gogolya[TT/Eng], T/Sgt Douglas Glover[Radio], S/Sgt Frank Hern Hilsabeck[TailGun], S/Sgt Ray Armstrong[Ball Turret], S/Sgt Frank Corser[Waist].
Object Number - UPL 19388 - 1st Lt Ashcraft and crew of the 305th Bomb Group, are shown beside a B-17 Flying Fortress. 29 November 1942. England. 41-24617 "Southern Comfort"...
Assigned to 364BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. Pilot - B-17 41-24617 'Southern Comfort' crash landed; Fire & severe battle damaged over Rotterdam shipyards 31-3-43. The crew bailed out over Essex. TTG was lost as he slipped out of his parachute. RTD.
Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17016881 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Charlotte, NC | 29 January 1919 | Son of Hugh Gustavus Sr and Nell [Hough] Ashcraft. |
|
Enlisted |
Charlotte, NC | 12 July 1941 | Charlotte, North Carolina |
|
Died |
Charlotte, NC | 18 April 1986 | |
|
Buried |
Elmwood Cemetery Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC | 21 April 1986 | Elmwood Cemetery Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina |
|
Based |
Chelveston | Assigned to 364BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/297662547
https://www.fold3.com/image/183204828
https://www.fold3.com/record/83977751/hugh-g-ashcraft-jr-wwii-army-enli…
https://www.fold3.com/record/621181399/hugh-ashcraft-1919-veterans-affa…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68630001/hugh-gustavus-ashcraft
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206297319/hugh-gustavus-ashcraft
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop and Hey, p. 94