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

8th Fighter Squadron

The 8th Fighter Squadron was part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operated the F-22A Raptor, having previously operated the F-117 Nighthawk aircraft from 1992 until the squadron's inactivation on May 16, 2008...

 (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. 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

Alexander Vraciu

Alexander Vraciu was a leading United States Navy fighter ace and Congressional Medal of Honor nominee during World War II. He once shot down six Japanese fighters in eight minutes.-Biography:...

, 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

7th Fighter Squadron

The 7th Fighter Squadron is part of the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.-Mission:The 7th Fighter Squadron as a part of the 49th Operations Group supports national security objectives, as directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by utilizing the F-22A Raptor aircraft.The 7 FS...

, 49th Fighter Group.

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

Mount Pinatubo

Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...

 (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 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

Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...

, the Distinguished Flying Cross

Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...

 with five oak clusters, the Air Medal

Air Medal

The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...

 with 9 oak clusters, Three Presidential Unit Citations, and the Purple Heart

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...

.

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