Robert W. Aschenbrener was a fighter ace who served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In his career as a pilot, Aschenbrener flew a total of 345 combat missions, downing some 10 enemy aircraft. For his actions, he was given among other awards, a Distinguished Service Cross, a Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Purple Heart.
History[]
Early Life[]
Robert W. Aschenbrener was born on November 22, 1920 in Fifield, Wisconsin.[1] From 1939 to 1940, Aschenbrener attended Loras College in Iowa before enlisting into the United States Army Air Forces' Aviation Cadet Program on January 12, 1942. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and awarded with his pilot's wings at Moore Field, Texas on September 6. From there, he began advanced training with the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and subsequently was assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadron stationed in New Guinea in May of 1943.
World War II[]
Stationed in New Guinea, Aschenbrener scored three aerial victories during the course of 272 combat sorties. By the summer of 1944, he was rotated out of service and returned back to the mainland United States to serve as an instructor, which he did for three months before deciding to return to combat once more. For his service, Aschenbrener was promoted to Captain and was sent to the 8th Fighter Squadron. He became an ace on November 24, 1944 for successfully downing four Japanese aircraft in one day. He would continue to down more enemy aircraft until reaching a grand total of ten aircraft shot down and one probable. On December 25, 1944, Aschenbrener was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire over the Philippines. Though he survived the crash, Aschenbrener was forced to evade Japanese troops for about a month before finally reaching American lines.
Following his return, Aschenbrener was promoted to Major and assigned as commanding officer of the 7th Fighter Squadron, a position he held until May 1945, after which he was assigned as a flight instructor. He was honorably discharged from service in October, 1945.[2]
Later Life[]
After the war, Aschenbrener enrolled in the University of Missouri to obtain a bachelor's degree in Journalism, using it to work in the Los Angeles Valley News for many years. Subsequently, he retired to Cameron Park, California with his wife. Aschenbrener passed away on July 2, 2009.