ALONSO HOWARD ASHLEY – US ARMY AIR FORCE – WORLD WAR II. He was born to Etha Eliza Coonrod-Ashley and Harry Ashley on Jan 5, 1910 and died May 22, 1966.Note: Proper spelling of name: Alonzo. Army Entry: 15 Dec 1942 in Ft. Wolters, TX – Discharge: 13 Nov 1945 in Ft Sheridan, IL
Technical Sargent – Glider Mechanic - 559
Battles & Campaigns: Rome Armo; Southern France; Normandy; Northern France; Ardennes; Rhineland; Central Europe
Medals: Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon w/1 Silver & 2 Bronze Battle Stars, and Overseas Service Bar
Glider Mechanic: Made woodwork, fabric, sheet metal, and cable repair and replacements on gliders. Also worked as an inspector for over a year, inspecting gliders for any damage parts. Alter and repaired wooden parts of glider using woodworking machinery and hand tools. Also replaced or repaired damaged metal parts. At first worked from sketches and drawings, but after considerable work, did the work without them. (This note from separation record). He also helped with clean up after Atom bomb was dropped in Hiroshima.
Alonzo returned to the US on the “Queen Mary” at New York port Embarkation. Sailed from Southampton, England on 4th Nov. 1945.
Attached 3 photo's. Group shot - Alonzo is front center. Queen Mary ship is a post card from the return. His children reported he returned for the clean up after the bomb.
This person is listed on the Young County Service Roster Page in the original mid-1940's publication, "Men and Women In The Armed Forces From Young County Texas". Information and photos were contributed by family and we thank them. We thank this Veteran for his service.