Ashmun, George Malcolm.

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Ashmun, George Malcolm, born 21-04-1919 in Far Hills, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA to Charles Ashmun (1885–1931) and his wife Mary Belcher Young (1891–1980). George had two brothers, Gayle L. Young (unknown–1961)  and Charles Ashmun who died 31-03-2012, age 95 in Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA.

George enlisted the service in New Jersey with service number # 0-011906. He was a Captain of the  US. Marine Corps – VFW-214, Marine Attack Squadron 214 , nickname Black Sheep Squadron     The squadron is best known as the Black Sheep of World War II fame and for one of its commanding officers, Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, whose memoirs also inspired the 1970s television show Baa Baa Black Sheep, later syndicated as Black Sheep Squadron, which dramatized the squadron’s exploits during the war.

The squadron suffered 23 pilots killed in action or missing and lost 48 aircraft to accidents or enemy contact

Death and burial ground of Ashmun, George Malcolm.

 

George was KIA in the Dogfight with the Japanese over New Britain on 03-01-1944, age 24. On 03-01-1944 took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville at 6:30am piloted by Captain George Malcom Ashmun on a fighter sweep over Rabaul. The formation included forty-six fighters led by Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington including eight F4U Corsairs from VMF-214 “Black Sheep”, twelve F4U Corsairs from VMF-211 plus 16 F6F from VF-33 from Ondonga Airfield on New Georgia). After take off, several fighters aborted the mission due to mechanical issues, including three Corsairs from VMF-214. During the mission, Ashmum was flying as wingman for F4U Corsair 17915 piloted by Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. Over the target area at an altitude of between 20,000′ to 24,000′ the formation spotted a group of A6M Zeros and dove to intercept. Likely, this was 29 A6M Zeros from the 253 Kōkūtai (253 Air Group). The 253rd Air Group was a unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the Pacific campaign of World War II. The unit was formed on 01-11-1942 from the Kanoya Air Group and served in Rabaul and the Solomon Islands. The air group was disbanded on 10-07-1944. Also airborne were 27 A6M Zeros from 204 Kōkūtai (204 Air Group) that joined the dog fight. During the combat, Boyington shot down a Zero from dead astern (his 20th victory) claiming it went down burning, and was confirmed by several other witnesses. Afterwards, both Boyington and Ashmum were overwhelmed and never seen again. When Ashmum failed to return he was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was F4U Corsair 17915 piloted by Major Gregory Boyington, but Boyington survived and died age 75.

Ashmun is honored with an Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal. George is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, VS, Section MK Site 193.

 

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