Ernest T Cragg

Military
media-29681.jpeg UPL 29681 "This is the earliest available picture of Ernie taken on 1 June 1943. His West Point Class graduated that morning. Due to WWII, all West Point classes were accelerated with Ernie's class being the first of the 3-year classes. Two classes actually graduated in 1943. The first graduation was in January after 3½ years of classes. Since cadets are not allowed to be married, graduation is typically followed by a rash of weddings. This picture is from the wedding on graduation day of Charles Arthur Gaignat and Patricia Kane. They are taking their wedding kiss with Ernie (the best man) looking on. The bridesmaid on the left is Myrna Gaignat, Chuck's younger sister. Chuck was a classmate and Ernie's best friend at West Point. They both served in the 370th Fighter Group in England. On July 23, 1944, Chuck was shot down and killed over France. Ernie's second son was given the middle name of Charles in his memory."

Caption written by Ernest T Cragg's son, Edward: http://ernest.cragg.info/ETC_albums/1940s%20Pictures/album/ Ernest T Cragg Collection

Permission to share the photo on the AAM website has been granted by Edward Cragg, son of Ernest T Cragg, and Dawn G. Root, daughter of Charles Gaignat and Patricia Kane.

Source: http://ernest.cragg.info/ETC_albums/1940s%20Pictures/album/

Object Number - UPL 29681 - "This is the earliest available picture of Ernie taken on 1 June 1943. His West Point Class graduated that morning. Due to WWII, all West Point...

Ernest Cragg entered the first of the war-accelerated three-year West Point Classes, completing basic flight training by graduation. He received Advance Flight Training at Craig Field and Matagorda Island.

With the 370th Fighter Group in Europe, he completed 76 combat missions in P-38s and P-51s. During that time he compiled a record of 2 confirmed kills, 2 probable kills and 1 damaged.

He was subsequently assigned to the 9th Infantry Division and the 9th Armored Division as Air Liaison Officer and Forward Air Controller; then to IX Tactical Air Command as Combat Operations Duty Officer. He served in the Occupation forces with the 70th Fighter Wing at Neubiberg, Germany, as Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Charles A Gaignat

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 370th Fighter Group 486th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-26279
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Mt Vernon, NY, USA 19 January 1922

Other

Best Man at the wedding of fellow West Point graduate Charles Gaignat and Patricia Kane

722 Derussy Rd, West Point, NY 10996, USA 1 June 1943

Died

Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA 9 March 2006

Revisions

Date16 Aug 2017 10:41:28
ContributorLucy May
ChangesCreated entry with surname, middlename, firstname, nationality, highest rank, role, biography, events, person associations, unit associations and place associations
Sources

http://www.wwiimemorial.com/Registry/plaque.aspx?honoreeID=1991399

http://ernest.cragg.info/
http://ernest.cragg.info/ETC_albums/1940s%20Pictures/album/

Ernest T Cragg: Gallery (1 items)