Robert W. Aschenbrener

Robert W. Aschenbrener
Nickname	Asch
Born	November 22, 1920(1920-11-22) Fifield, Wisconsin
Died	July 2, 2009(2009-07-02) (aged 88) Sacramento, California
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army Air Forces
Rank	Major
Commands held	7th Fighter Squadron (Commander) 8th Fighter Squadron (Operations Officer)
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (5) Air Medal (9) Purple Heart Presidential Unit Citation (3)

Biography

Born on November 22, 1920 in Fifield, Wisconsin. Robert Wayne Aschenbrener was raised on the Indian reservation at Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. He attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa for two years before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in September 1941.

World War II

Robert W Aschenbrener received flight training at Kelly, Ballinger, San Angelo, and Moore Fields in Texas, and graduated with the class of 42H. After fighter training Lt Aschenbrener was assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadron (Black Sheep Squadron), 49th Fighter Group. based then in New Guinea. Flying the P-40, he scored his first two victories on November 15, 1943 followed by a single on February 15, 1944. Promoted to Captain, he became operations officer and flew 272 combat missions before returning to the States in the summer of 1944 to instruct other pilots in fighter tactics.

Wishing to return to combat "Asch" (as he was nicknamed) wrangled a trip back to his old unit now in the Philippines flying the P-38.^[1] Serving again as operations officer he became an ace on November 24, 1944 when he downed three Tonys and one Zeke in one day. On December 11, 1944 and December 14, 1944 he was credited with his ninth and tenth victories.

On Christmas Day 1944, during a strafing run on enemy occupied Clark Field, Aschenbrener's P-38 was hit by 20mm ground fire and he crashed into a rice paddy barely 5 miles from the end of the runway. Picked up by Huk guerrillas, he hid in the jungle for nearly a month evading capture by enemy troupes on the lookout for him. He was joined by the crew of a Navy torpedo plane, as well as downed F-6F Hellcat Ace Alexander Vraciu, who were also hiding from the Japanese. Making it back to American forces after 27 days he was returned to his unit where he was promoted to Major and assumed command of the 7th Fighter Squadron,^[2] 49th Fighter Group.^[3]

At this time he met his soon to be wife, Laura Ann Middleton. They were married on recaptured Clark AFB on August 20, 1945 in the shadow of Mount Pinatubo (a volcano which eventually destroyed Clark AFB) just a few miles from where his plane went down.

Before leaving the Army Air Force Major Aschenbrener flew 345 combat missions which accounted for over 850 combat hours^[1] flying the P-40, P-47, and P-38 fighter aircraft.

, Major Aschenbrener's P-38

After World War II

Major Aschenbrener returned to the States in September 1945 and separated from the service to pursue a degree in journalism at the University of Missouri. After retiring from the Los Angeles Valley News he and Ann moved to Cameron Park in Northern California. Aschenbrener died July 2, 2009 at the age of 88 in Sacramento, California leaving behind eight children and over 30 grandchildren and great grand children.

Merits

Major Aschenbrener earned the title "Double Ace" and received a total of 21 medals and citations including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak clusters, the Air Medal with 9 oak clusters, Three Presidential Unit Citations, and the Purple Heart.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Aces Against Japan, Eric Hammel
2. ^ Protect & Avenge, S. W. Ferguson and William K. Pascalis
3. ^ American Fighter Aces, American Fighter Aces Association

American Fighter Aces Album, Col J. Ward Boyce, American Fighter Aces Assn

Further reading

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Aces Against Japan, Eric Hammel

Hunters In The Sky James R. Whelan

Protect & Avenge, S. W. Ferguson and William K. Pascalis

Persondata
Name	Aschenbrener, Robert W.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 22, 1920
Place of birth	Fifield, Wisconsin
Date of death	July 2, 2009
Place of death	Sacramento, California