William Herbert Brassfield

Military
media-54847.jpeg UPL 54847 Captain William Herbert Brassfield
Pilot
340th Bomb Group - 489th Bomb Squadron - 12th AF
Photo taken prior to entering pilot training

Brassfield family collection

Object Number - UPL 54847 - Captain William Herbert Brassfield Pilot 340th Bomb Group - 489th Bomb Squadron - 12th AF Photo taken prior to entering pilot training

William Herbert Brassfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Michigan.

He worked in the manned spaceflight program.

He retired from the USAF with the rank of Colonel.

Connections

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Units served with

A B-25 Mitchell (7C) of the 340th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force takes off.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-447933
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
  • Nicknames: Snot Nose
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
  • Nicknames: Briefing Time
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
  • Nicknames: Morning Mission
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
  • Nicknames: Comin Over Hun
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
  • Nicknames: Flak Fodder II
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Carpenter, Kentucky 15 June 1920

Other

Received Private Pilot's License

Ann Arbor, Michigan 30 May 1941 Airman Certificate # 63289-41

Other

B-25 Phase Training

Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina 29 November 1943 - 31 January 1944 309th BG 376th BS

Other

340th Bomb Group Combat Tour

Alesani Airfield, Corsica 14 May 1944 - 3 January 1945 Flew 389 Combat Hours

Other

1st Combat Mission

Pontassieve, Italy 19 May 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-4101 2 hours 45 minutes

Other

2nd Combat Mission

Ficulle, Italy 25 May 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27517 Bombs not dropped. One a/c missing due to AA fire. 2 hours

Other

3rd Combat Mission

Orvieto, Italy 26 May 1944 Railroad Viaduct 43-4101 2 hours 25 minutes

Other

4th Combat Mission

Marzabotto, Italy 27 May 1944 Highway and Railroad Bridges 43-27486 9R Flak encountered 2:00 hours

Other

5th Combat Mission

Pisa, Italy 28 May 1944 Railroad Bridge 2 hours 25 minutes

Other

6th Combat Mission

Bucine, Italy 28 May 1944 Viaduct 9N 2 hours 45 minutes no flak

Other

7th Combat Mission

Guarcino, Italy 30 May 1944 German road block 9N 3 hours 30 minutes heavy and accurate flak

Other

8th Combat Mission

Narni, Italy 1 June 1944 Bridge 43-27544 9Y 1 hour 50 minutes no flak

Other

9th Combat Mission

Foligno, Italy 2 June 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-4071 9B 2 hours 35 minutes intense AA fire Spitfires strafed gun positon at Perugia

Other

10th Combat Mission

Civita, Castellana, Italy 3 June 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27659 9W 2 hours no flak

Other

11th Combat Mission

Gricigliana, Italy 4 June 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-4071 9B 2 hours 10 minutes no flak. German fighters observed

Other

12th Combat Mission

Narni, Italy 6 June 1944 German road block 43-27746 9E 1 hour 35 minutes no flak

Other

13th Combat Mission

Bucine, Italy 8 June 1944 Viaduct 43-27486 9R 2 hours 10 minutes no flak

Other

14th Combat Mission

Bucine, Italy 10 June 1944 Viaduct 43-27486 9R 1 hour 40 minutes no flak. Gunners observed two ships shot down over Leghorn at our rear. Hole in the camera window. Awarded his 2nd OLC to his Air Medal

Other

15th Combat Mission

Cecina, Italy 13 June 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27667 9Z 2 hours 45 minutes flak encountered. Perugia was target, dropped bombs on bridge at Cecina.

Other

16th Combat Mission

Pistoia, Italy 15 June 1944 Viaduct 43-27486 9R 2 hours 35 minutes no flak

Other

17th Combat Mission

Piombino, Italy 16 June 1944 Propaganda leaflets dropped at Piombino, Sienta and Leghorn 43-27746 9E 3 hours 10 minutes inaccurate flak at Piombino

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18th Combat Mission

Saviano, Italy 21 June 1944 Railroad Bridge 9I 2 Hours 5 Minutes Intense, accurate flak Awarded a 2nd OLC to his AM

Other

19th Combat Mission

Pietrasanta, Italy 30 June 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27486 9R 2 hours 30 minutes Intense, heavy accurate flak around Prado

Other

20th Combat Mission

Prato, Italy 1 July 1944 Railroad Bridge and Tunnel 43-4071 9B 2 hours 40 minutes Moderate, inaccurate flak. Left wing ship hit

Other

21st Combat Mission

Parma, Italy 6 July 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27667 9Z 2 hours 35 minutes No AA fire encountered

Other

22nd Combat Mission

Ostiglia, Italy 8 July 1944 Fuel Tanks 43-27659 9W 2 hours 30 minutes Light, accurate flak. One hole in front of upper turret

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23rd Combat Mission

Rovigo, Italy 11 July 1944 Rail Yard 43-4071 9B 3 hours Inaccurate flak near the coast upon return

Other

24th Combat Mission

Chiavari, Italy 12 July 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27486 9R 2 hours 35 minutes

Other

25th Combat Mission

Buccino, Italy 13 July 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27486 9R 1 hour Had to abort over Piombino due to 3 cylinders blown in #1 engine.

Other

26th Combat Mission

Castelfranco, Italy 14 July 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27659 9W 3 hours 35 minutes Flew as #5 ship with the 487th BS. Scant but accurate flak in the vicinity of Ferarra He was awarded a 3rd OLC to his Air Medal.

Other

27th Combat Mission

Mantua, Italy 20 July 1944 Road and Rail Bridges 43-27638 9D 2 hours 40 minutes Very inaccurate flak encountered over coast upon return

Other

28th Combat Mission

Cervo, Italy 25 July 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27667 9Z 2 hours 30 minutes no flak encountered

Other

Aborted Combat Mission

Tyrrhenian Sea 26 July 1944 43-27638 9D Forced to abort and return due to a loose gas cap. 1 hour 5 minutes

Other

29th Combat Mission

Carisasca, Italy 27 July 1944 Road Bridge 43-27667 9Z 2 hours 30 minutes No Flak

Other

30th Combat Mission

Canneto, Italy 1 August 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-4016 9V 2 hours 55 minutes No AA Fire

Other

31st Combat Mission

Nice, France 6 August 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27655 9M 2 hours 35 minutes Heavy, intense, accurate AA fire. Hole in nose and hole under right wing He was awarded a 4th OLC to his Air Medal

Other

32nd Combat Mission

Livron, France 7 August 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27486 9R 3 hours 50 minutes No AA fire

Other

33rd Combat Mission

in the vicinity of St. Tropez, France 11 August 1944 German gun positions 43-27486 9R 2 hours 35 minutes

Other

34th Combat Mission

east of Pibonson, France 12 August 1944 German gun positions 43-27638 9D 2 hours 50 minutes No AA fire

Other

35th Combat Mission

near Le Ciotat, France 13 August 1944 German gun positions 43-27667 9Z 3 hours Inaccurate AA fire

Other

36th Combat Mission

Le Trayas, France 15 August 1944 1st of two missions this date Road Bridge 43-4058 9F 4 hours 20 minutes He was awarded a 5th OLC to his AM

Other

37th Combat Mission

Avignon, France 15 August 1944 2nd mission on this date Road Bridge 43-4058 9F 4 hours 20 minutes Heavy, intense, accurate AA fire. 9P (Thomas Baxter & Crew) was lost.

Other

38th Combat Mission

Livron, France 16 August 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-4058 9E 3 hours 40 minutes Lead Ship. No AA fire encountered

Other

39th Combat Mission

Avignon, France 23 August 1944 German Gun Positions 43-27486 9R 3 hours 55 minutes Scant but accurate AA fire encountered

Other

40th Combat Mission

Cassano d'Adda, Italy 2 September 1944 Bridge 43-27486 9R 2 hours 35 minutes Inaccurate AA fire encountered

Other

41st Combat Mission

Canneto, Italy 5 September 1944 Bridge 43-4101 9K 3 hours No AA fire

Other

43rd Combat Mission

San Marcello Pistolese, Italy 10 September 1944 Gothic Line Defenses 43-27746 9E 2 hours 10 minutes Scant but fairly accurate AA fire He was awarded a 6th OLC to his Air Medal

Other

44th Combat Mission

Bologna, Italy 16 September 1944 Transport Repair Depot 43-35984 9B 3 hours 40 minutes AA fire inaccurate Gun positions were attached by dive bombers, fighters and B-25s with phosphorous bombs

Other

45th Combat Mission

Borgoforte, Italy 30 September 1944 Bridge 43-27486 9R 2 hours 40 minutes AA fire fairly accurate. Did not drop bombs

Other

48th Combat Mission

Magenta, Italy 1 October 1944 Gun positions at bridge west of Milan 43-4000 9X 2 hours 45 minutes carrying chaff and phosphorous bombs. Bombs did not release

Other

49th Combat Mission

Magenta, Italy 3 October 1944 Bridge west of Milan 43-27746 9E 3 hours 15 minutes Heavy, intense very accurate AA fire. Holes in the bombardier's and pilot's windshields. Harper wounded in the right hand

Other

50th Combat Mission

south of Bologna, Italy 12 October 1944 Supply Dump 43-27486 9R 3 hours 15 minutes AA fire rather intense but inaccurate

Other

51st Combat Mission

Galliate, Italy 15 October 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27486 9R 3 hours AA fire intense, but apparently not fired at our flight

Other

52nd Combat Mission

Magenta, Italy 18 October 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27669 9W AA fire scant buy fairly accurate. Did not bomb due to undercast.

Other

54th Combat Mission

Fornovo, Italy 20 October 1944 Bridge 43-27705 9N 3 hours 45 minutes No AA fire encountered

Other

55th Combat Misssion

Villafranca d'Asti, Italy 4 November 1944 Bridge 43-27655 9M No AA fire encountered 9E (43-27746 with Roseler Crew) crashed into the city of Allesandria

Other

56th Combat Mission

Padua Italy 5 November 1944 Bridge 43-27486 9R 3 hours 30 minutes AA fire inaccurate

Other

57th Combat Mission

Ala, Italy 7 November 1944 Bridge 43-27486 9R 3 hours 10 minutes AA fire scant but fairly accurate

Other

58th Combat Mission

Casale Monferrato, Italy 10 November 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-27667 9Z 2 hours 50 minutes AA fire heavy, itense and accurate! about 15 holes in the ship

Other

59th Combat Mission

Alessandria, Italy 16 November 1944 Nickel Mission 43-35984 9B 3 hours 40 minutes No AA fire Lead Ship

Other

Combat Mission

Faenza, Italy 17 November 1944 Bridge 43-27667 9Z 2 hours 20 minutes Flak inaccurate

Other

61st Combat Mission

Noska, Yugoslavia (now Croatia) 18 November 1944 Railroad Bridge 43-35984 9B 4 hours 50 minutes No AA fire

Other

Assigned to 140th AAF Base Unit

Moody Army Airfield, Georgia 6 June 1945 - 14 July 1945 A-26 Pilot

Other

Assigned to the 3502nd AAF Base Unit

15 July 1945 - 1 January 1947 Aircraft Maintenance Officer

Other

Director of Engineering & Director of Titan IIIM, Manned Orbiting Laboratory

Los Angeles Air Force Station, Los Angeles, California 1 August 1966 - 31 July 1968 HQ Space Systems Division Air Force Space Command

Died

Junction City, Oregon 17 December 2000

Buried

Junction City, Oregon 20 December 2000 Rest Lawn Memorial Park Junction City, Lane County, Oregon, USA
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Other

Graduated

Ann Arbor, Michigan University of Michigan Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering

Other

Deputy Director For Re-Entry Systems USA

Norton Air Force Base, San Bernadino, California Plans, implements, supervises and coordinates Ballistic Missile Re-entry Systems efforts on advancement of re-entry technology and measurement of re-entry phenomena. Performs technical liaison with civilian and military agencies such as ARPA, DASA, OAR, AEC, US Army, US Navy and various AICBM and Penetration Evaluation Commitees.

Other

USAAF Pre-Flight Training

Santa Ana Army Airfield, California

Other

USAAF Primary Flight Training

Tulare, California Rankin Airfield School ran by the civilian company Rankin Aeronautical Academy

Other

USAAF Basic Flight Training

Merced Army Airfield, California

Other

USAAF Advanced Flight Training

Yuma Army Airbase, Arizona

Other

USAAF Transition Training

Mather Army Airfield, California

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

Brassfield Family Collection - William H. Brassfield mission diaries

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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Brassfield Family Collection - William H. Brassfield mission diaries.

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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Sources

corrected 15 August mission

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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Brassfield Family Collection - Mission Diary of William H. Brassfield

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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Brassfield Family Collection - William H. Brassfield Mission Diary.

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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added date to 17th mission

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Contributor466thHistorian
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Brassfield Family Collection - Mission notes from William H. Brassfield's personal mission notebooks

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Contributor466thHistorian
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Various original copies of HQ 12th AF General Orders

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Contributor466thHistorian
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William Herbert Brassfield AAF Officers Qualification Record

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Contributor466thHistorian
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Personal papers of William Herbert Brassfield

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Contributor466thHistorian
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Private papers of William Herbert Brassfield

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Contributor466thHistorian
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Added airfield

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added aircraft connection

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cropped image

William Herbert Brassfield: Gallery (5 items)