Charles Francis Gumm Jr
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Object Number - UPL 13843 - Lt. Charles F. Gumm in the cockpit of his Mustang.
Flight leader 355th FS 354th FG. First Merlin Mustang ace.
6 air kills/2.5 probable/8 damaged.
KIFA March 1, 1944 Nyland, England while flying P-51B s/n 43-12165.
He realized he was over the Nayland village and that if he bailed out to save himself his plane would crash into the English town and claim innocent lives. He therefore decided to remain with his plane to steer it away from the village and to attempt a forced landing. It crash landed on the banks of the river Stour near 'Court Knoll' but, unfortunately, at the last moment his Mustang hit a tree and he was thrown out of the cockpit and killed.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-475313
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Memorial
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born Killed in Service (KIS) (?) |
Spokane, WA, USA | 29 October 1920 - 1 March 2044 | Son of Charles Francis Sr and Eva Alice [Perin] Gumm. |
|
Died |
Nayland, Colchester, Suffolk CO6, UK | 1 March 1944 | Crashed on take off, engine failure, 1/4 mile SW Nayland, pilot Charles F Gumm Jr KIA. 1st Mar 44, Pilot elected to stay with A/C for forced landing rather than bail to save civilian lives in Nayland. A/C struck tree and ejected pilot. |
|
Buried |
Greenwood Memorial Terrace Spokane, Spokane County, WA | Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Spokane, WA, USA Plot: Space 10 - Lot 32 - Lawn 29 | |
|
Based |
Boxted | 1 March 1944 | Assigned to 355FS, 354FG, 9AF USAAF. |
Revisions
JCook Archives
JCook Photo Collection & Archives
Find A Grave Memorial# 60858299
Image obtained from the website below:
http://www.naylandandwiston.net/History/CharlesGumm/MemorialIndex.php
This information obtained from the web site below
http://www.naylandandwiston.net/History/CharlesGumm/GummIndex.php
9th Air Force Roll of Honor (IWM in liaison with Ninth Air Force veterans and group associations, American Battle Monuments Commission, and Buddies of the Ninth Association) / Unit history, 8 AF Roll, Mr V J Lewis
![A Packard Merlin engine in a P-51B Mustang of the 354th Fighter Group, 20 January 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'The Packard V-1650-3 motor fitted to the new North American P-51B.' Printed caption also attached: '4/3 42.' Passed for publication 20 Jan 1944. On reverse: Ministry of Information, Temple Press Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-400806.jpg.webp?itok=LMwPvlYY)
