tarbridge Posted April 27, 2014 Share #1 Posted April 27, 2014 2nd Lt Thomas Ashworth Jr service# 0 668541 Birth 25 March 1920 Somerville MA 77th Troop Carrier Squadron 435th Troop Carrier Group C-47A Pilot and Power Pilot KIA 6 June 1944 vicinity Etienville France 2nd Lt Thomas Ashworth Jr., co-pilot of the C-47 43-30734, took off from station 474 in Welford, UK to drop 17 paratroopers over DZ-C as part of Operation Albany during the Normandy invasion. Their target time was 0120. Their plane was the last of five waves to cross the Cotentin, over air defenses now on full alert. To complicate matters, there were heavy clouds at 1500 feet, gone unreported due to the strict radio silence. Some pilots decided to pull up and find their DZs with the Eureka-Rebecca system, others went low to obtain a visual of their DZs, and a rare few stayed the course through the cloud bank. While approaching DZ-C, flak hit the last three planes, including the 43-30734, no doubt killing the navigator. Another shell exploded in the tail section, throwing the entire stick, already attached to the static line, to the ground. Some were wounded, others not. The order was given to jump. Two soldiers made it out before the plane went into a nosedive, flames engulfing the aircraft. Pvt Morin clambered over the dozen bodies of his comrades to hurl himself out of the plane, seeing it crash 250m away before landing with a twisted ankle. Only two other paras survived Monument to the Brave Airmen and Troopers that early June morning... On the outside wall of a town house. Marker An old weather-beaten dark plaque with engravings commemorating the crew and passengers of the C-47 43-30734 that crashed there. At this location nineteen American servicemen gave their lives for freedom0120 HR June 6, 1944Air crew: 77th Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier GroupCapt. John H. Schaefers Pilot2nd Lt Thomas Ashworth Co-Pilot1st Lt Joseph J. Sullivan NavigatorTSgt Melvin Isserson EngineerSSgt David Mackenzie Radio OperatorG Company, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne DivisionSgt John A. SchadtCpl Eugene W. MorrisonCpl William A. SobieralskiPfc Tony A. BurnettPfc Harry B. BrownPfc Anthony SalemiPfc Milo W. LudyPvt Ollie W. DeHavenPvt James ReynoldsPvt Michael A. MastandriaPvt Michael L. PushcarePvt Corwin J. RandtPvt Erland W. ChellinPvt Felix J. LopachinSurvivorsSSgt Charles F. WordPfc Lucien A. TetraultPvt Arthur E. Morin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted April 27, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted April 27, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted April 27, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolas75 Posted April 27, 2014 Share #5 Posted April 27, 2014 Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted April 27, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted April 27, 2014 Share #7 Posted April 27, 2014 Nice group and rest in peace. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted April 27, 2014 Share #8 Posted April 27, 2014 That's a great D-Day set. Thanks for sharing his story and these great medals! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted April 27, 2014 Share #9 Posted April 27, 2014 That is a great D-Day group. Thank you for sharing it with us. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhcoleterracina Posted April 27, 2014 Share #10 Posted April 27, 2014 just wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted April 27, 2014 Share #11 Posted April 27, 2014 Astounding group! Thanks for posting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted April 27, 2014 Share #12 Posted April 27, 2014 Robert, Another outstanding, historic group...congratulations and thanks for posting. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 27, 2014 Share #13 Posted April 27, 2014 Thanks for posting. I am glad to see his file survived the St. Louis fire, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted April 27, 2014 Share #14 Posted April 27, 2014 Its all been said, Robert. Great group. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted April 27, 2014 Share #15 Posted April 27, 2014 Very nice group to a D-Day Pilot....I believe that the aircrew that flew on that day are sometimes forgotten or shadowed by the paratroopers and ground infantry, thank you for posting. RIP 2nd Lt. Ashworth Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capa Posted April 28, 2014 Share #16 Posted April 28, 2014 RIP brave men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted April 28, 2014 Share #17 Posted April 28, 2014 Another fine addition ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesy1275 Posted April 28, 2014 Share #18 Posted April 28, 2014 Wow, that is a great grouping. I have an original copy of the 435th TCG unit history and 2nd Lt Ashworth is mentioned in the first few pages amongst other fallen members of the Group. I also have a copy of General Order #42 Awards of the Air Medal to the 435th TCG. He is listed at the end of the 77th TCS section as Missing in Action. If you ever think about selling the grouping, I would be extremely interested. I live only miles away from Welford Airfield. Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted June 6, 2014 Bringing this back in Honor of the sacrifice made on this day 6 June 1944. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIKyle Posted June 7, 2014 Share #20 Posted June 7, 2014 Thanks for bumping this Robert; I had not seen it the first time around. Great tribute. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APO472 Posted June 7, 2014 Share #21 Posted June 7, 2014 Ditto! Thanks for sharing. I believe there is a square in Somerville named after him. I will try to take a picture for you on my next visit through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted January 20, 2016 Share #22 Posted January 20, 2016 Holy Cow! I just saw this today, you must see this post http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/10855-meet-milo-bill-ludy-501-pir/?hl=%2Bmilo+%2Bludy Ludy was in this plane! That is great to see. Thanks for posting it! BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted January 20, 2016 Share #23 Posted January 20, 2016 Poignant connection. Thank you Robert & Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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