Lt. Ashley M. Guynn 710 BS 447th Bomb Group.
The 710th Bomb Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group, 8th USAAF departed from Kearney Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA on 11th November 1943 to fly the Atlantic via the northern route to England. On that day crew number 75-30 flying in the B17G Flying Fortress number 42-31168 and piloted by Lt. Ashley M. Guynn made a successful crossing. They eventually arrived at Station 126 at Rattlesden in Suffolk, England to make a total of 60 planes and crews to arrive (2 B17G having been lost over the Atlantic).
Over the following weeks practice formation flying was conducted whenever the weather permitted, then on Friday 24th December, 1943, Lt. A. M. Guynn flew this and the Group's first mission to France. Despite damage, all aircraft returned safely. Their first loss came on 30th December when "Maid to Please" was shot down, but between 24th December 1943 and 27th April 1944, Lt. A. Guynn flew 23 missions.
Regrettable on returning from the Group's 55th mission Lt. A. Guynn's B17G 42-107197 was hit by heavy flak resulting in the loss of this plane and crew over Ostend in Belgium. After the seven survivors had bailed out, the plane exploded and fell to earth. Sadly the Pilot, Flight Engineer and Tailgunner were killed, and the other crew members became Prisoners of War. Guynn's body could only be identified after the war by a process of elimination, and his remains were returned to Chico, California for burial. There was no trace of his dog tags or other identification.
In 1979, a Mr. Martin Collin of London, England, while on vacation in Belgium, unearthed part of a bracelet on the beach using his metal detector. The blackened object displayed the pilot's wings of the USAAF. After cleaning it, Martin was able to see the name of Ashley M. Guynn and on the reverse side was the number 0-746256 now known to be his service number. These identity bracelets were not official issue, but many aircrew had them made in sterling silver to supplement the dog tags worn round the neck. The bracelet is being kept by the 447th BG Association (UK).
Website: www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/acmbrace.htm contributed by Janis.
Wife: Phyllis Snow.
Chico Enterprise, Tuesday Evening, February 20, 1945, pg 1 col 2-3: Air Force Pays Tribute To Chico Fliers. Wife and Mothers of Three Local Airmen Receive Medals Tomorrow. Three Chico women, mothers and a wife of servicemen killed, or missing in action or prisoner of war will receive awards in honor of their sons and husband tomorrow at Chico Army Air Field, according to Col. A.W. Tyer, base commander, who will make the awards. Included are Mrs. Phyllis V. Guynn, 798 East 8th St., wife of late Capt. Ashley M. Guynn, 8th Air Force bomber pilot who was killed in action last year on his 22nd mission over occupied territory. She will receive the Air Medal and three Oak leaf clusters. Capt. Guynn was prominent in Chico High and Chico State College athletics.
The 710th Bomb Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group, 8th USAAF departed from Kearney Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA on 11th November 1943 to fly the Atlantic via the northern route to England. On that day crew number 75-30 flying in the B17G Flying Fortress number 42-31168 and piloted by Lt. Ashley M. Guynn made a successful crossing. They eventually arrived at Station 126 at Rattlesden in Suffolk, England to make a total of 60 planes and crews to arrive (2 B17G having been lost over the Atlantic).
Over the following weeks practice formation flying was conducted whenever the weather permitted, then on Friday 24th December, 1943, Lt. A. M. Guynn flew this and the Group's first mission to France. Despite damage, all aircraft returned safely. Their first loss came on 30th December when "Maid to Please" was shot down, but between 24th December 1943 and 27th April 1944, Lt. A. Guynn flew 23 missions.
Regrettable on returning from the Group's 55th mission Lt. A. Guynn's B17G 42-107197 was hit by heavy flak resulting in the loss of this plane and crew over Ostend in Belgium. After the seven survivors had bailed out, the plane exploded and fell to earth. Sadly the Pilot, Flight Engineer and Tailgunner were killed, and the other crew members became Prisoners of War. Guynn's body could only be identified after the war by a process of elimination, and his remains were returned to Chico, California for burial. There was no trace of his dog tags or other identification.
In 1979, a Mr. Martin Collin of London, England, while on vacation in Belgium, unearthed part of a bracelet on the beach using his metal detector. The blackened object displayed the pilot's wings of the USAAF. After cleaning it, Martin was able to see the name of Ashley M. Guynn and on the reverse side was the number 0-746256 now known to be his service number. These identity bracelets were not official issue, but many aircrew had them made in sterling silver to supplement the dog tags worn round the neck. The bracelet is being kept by the 447th BG Association (UK).
Website: www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/acmbrace.htm contributed by Janis.
Wife: Phyllis Snow.
Chico Enterprise, Tuesday Evening, February 20, 1945, pg 1 col 2-3: Air Force Pays Tribute To Chico Fliers. Wife and Mothers of Three Local Airmen Receive Medals Tomorrow. Three Chico women, mothers and a wife of servicemen killed, or missing in action or prisoner of war will receive awards in honor of their sons and husband tomorrow at Chico Army Air Field, according to Col. A.W. Tyer, base commander, who will make the awards. Included are Mrs. Phyllis V. Guynn, 798 East 8th St., wife of late Capt. Ashley M. Guynn, 8th Air Force bomber pilot who was killed in action last year on his 22nd mission over occupied territory. She will receive the Air Medal and three Oak leaf clusters. Capt. Guynn was prominent in Chico High and Chico State College athletics.
Lt. Ashley M. Guynn 710 BS 447th Bomb Group.
The 710th Bomb Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group, 8th USAAF departed from Kearney Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA on 11th November 1943 to fly the Atlantic via the northern route to England. On that day crew number 75-30 flying in the B17G Flying Fortress number 42-31168 and piloted by Lt. Ashley M. Guynn made a successful crossing. They eventually arrived at Station 126 at Rattlesden in Suffolk, England to make a total of 60 planes and crews to arrive (2 B17G having been lost over the Atlantic).
Over the following weeks practice formation flying was conducted whenever the weather permitted, then on Friday 24th December, 1943, Lt. A. M. Guynn flew this and the Group's first mission to France. Despite damage, all aircraft returned safely. Their first loss came on 30th December when "Maid to Please" was shot down, but between 24th December 1943 and 27th April 1944, Lt. A. Guynn flew 23 missions.
Regrettable on returning from the Group's 55th mission Lt. A. Guynn's B17G 42-107197 was hit by heavy flak resulting in the loss of this plane and crew over Ostend in Belgium. After the seven survivors had bailed out, the plane exploded and fell to earth. Sadly the Pilot, Flight Engineer and Tailgunner were killed, and the other crew members became Prisoners of War. Guynn's body could only be identified after the war by a process of elimination, and his remains were returned to Chico, California for burial. There was no trace of his dog tags or other identification.
In 1979, a Mr. Martin Collin of London, England, while on vacation in Belgium, unearthed part of a bracelet on the beach using his metal detector. The blackened object displayed the pilot's wings of the USAAF. After cleaning it, Martin was able to see the name of Ashley M. Guynn and on the reverse side was the number 0-746256 now known to be his service number. These identity bracelets were not official issue, but many aircrew had them made in sterling silver to supplement the dog tags worn round the neck. The bracelet is being kept by the 447th BG Association (UK).
Website: www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/acmbrace.htm contributed by Janis.
Wife: Phyllis Snow.
Chico Enterprise, Tuesday Evening, February 20, 1945, pg 1 col 2-3: Air Force Pays Tribute To Chico Fliers. Wife and Mothers of Three Local Airmen Receive Medals Tomorrow. Three Chico women, mothers and a wife of servicemen killed, or missing in action or prisoner of war will receive awards in honor of their sons and husband tomorrow at Chico Army Air Field, according to Col. A.W. Tyer, base commander, who will make the awards. Included are Mrs. Phyllis V. Guynn, 798 East 8th St., wife of late Capt. Ashley M. Guynn, 8th Air Force bomber pilot who was killed in action last year on his 22nd mission over occupied territory. She will receive the Air Medal and three Oak leaf clusters. Capt. Guynn was prominent in Chico High and Chico State College athletics.
The 710th Bomb Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group, 8th USAAF departed from Kearney Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA on 11th November 1943 to fly the Atlantic via the northern route to England. On that day crew number 75-30 flying in the B17G Flying Fortress number 42-31168 and piloted by Lt. Ashley M. Guynn made a successful crossing. They eventually arrived at Station 126 at Rattlesden in Suffolk, England to make a total of 60 planes and crews to arrive (2 B17G having been lost over the Atlantic).
Over the following weeks practice formation flying was conducted whenever the weather permitted, then on Friday 24th December, 1943, Lt. A. M. Guynn flew this and the Group's first mission to France. Despite damage, all aircraft returned safely. Their first loss came on 30th December when "Maid to Please" was shot down, but between 24th December 1943 and 27th April 1944, Lt. A. Guynn flew 23 missions.
Regrettable on returning from the Group's 55th mission Lt. A. Guynn's B17G 42-107197 was hit by heavy flak resulting in the loss of this plane and crew over Ostend in Belgium. After the seven survivors had bailed out, the plane exploded and fell to earth. Sadly the Pilot, Flight Engineer and Tailgunner were killed, and the other crew members became Prisoners of War. Guynn's body could only be identified after the war by a process of elimination, and his remains were returned to Chico, California for burial. There was no trace of his dog tags or other identification.
In 1979, a Mr. Martin Collin of London, England, while on vacation in Belgium, unearthed part of a bracelet on the beach using his metal detector. The blackened object displayed the pilot's wings of the USAAF. After cleaning it, Martin was able to see the name of Ashley M. Guynn and on the reverse side was the number 0-746256 now known to be his service number. These identity bracelets were not official issue, but many aircrew had them made in sterling silver to supplement the dog tags worn round the neck. The bracelet is being kept by the 447th BG Association (UK).
Website: www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/acmbrace.htm contributed by Janis.
Wife: Phyllis Snow.
Chico Enterprise, Tuesday Evening, February 20, 1945, pg 1 col 2-3: Air Force Pays Tribute To Chico Fliers. Wife and Mothers of Three Local Airmen Receive Medals Tomorrow. Three Chico women, mothers and a wife of servicemen killed, or missing in action or prisoner of war will receive awards in honor of their sons and husband tomorrow at Chico Army Air Field, according to Col. A.W. Tyer, base commander, who will make the awards. Included are Mrs. Phyllis V. Guynn, 798 East 8th St., wife of late Capt. Ashley M. Guynn, 8th Air Force bomber pilot who was killed in action last year on his 22nd mission over occupied territory. She will receive the Air Medal and three Oak leaf clusters. Capt. Guynn was prominent in Chico High and Chico State College athletics.
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