VETERAN NAVAL PILOT MISSING
Lt. Ashford Fails to Return After Mission
Ackley - Lt. Robert K. Ashford, pilot of a carrier-based navy-fighter, is missing in action in the Pacific since Sept. 13, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Ashford, now of Fort Dodge, were notified by the navy department. Mrs. Ashford formerly was Lucille Bingham of Ackley.
Lt. Robert Ashford is believed to have been in the Palau area. A veteran of both the Atlantic and Pacific, Lt. Ashford was on his 2nd tour of duty flying a speedy "Hell Cat" fighter.
He was with a task force in the Atlantic in the early months of 1943, and in May of that year left a west coast port to take part in invasion and raids of Japanese held islands of both central and southwest Pacific.
Returning in February, decorated with the air medal and stars for 5 major engagements, he spent a leave with his parents, then rejoined his squadron which set out again in June for further combat duty.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, October 21, 1944 pg. 6
Robert Keith Ashford was born July 4, 1920 to Glen and Mary Lucille Bingen Ashford. He died Feb. 6, 1946 and is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines. [**Note: Find-A-Grave record states "Ensign R.K. Ashford was declared MIA Sept. 13, 1944 over Cebu."]
Lt. Ashford served in World War II with the U.S. Navy and was MIA/FOD/KIA on Cebu Island, the Philippines and awarded the Purple Heart. Lt. Ashford served aboard the USS Independence, USS Banker Hill and USS Cowpens.
Source: ancestry.com
