Briefing Document: Edwin Ernest Brashear

Subject: Life and Military Service of Edwin Ernest Brashear

Date: October 26, 2023

Source: Excerpt from "Pasted Text" (assumed to be genealogical or historical record)

Summary: This document provides a biographical sketch of Edwin Ernest Brashear, focusing on his family history, early life, military service during World War II, and ultimate death in combat. It pieces together information from census records, military enlistment documents, and details of a specific combat mission.

Key Themes & Facts:

Early Life & Family:

Edwin Ernest Brashear was born on December 5, 1923, in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

His parents were Correl Oline Roberts and Edwin Declouit Brashear. His mother was 33 years old and his father was 35 years old at the time of his birth.

He grew up in a large family, with five siblings in 1930, and later four in 1940. He lived with his paternal grandfather in 1930.

The family lived in Brown County, Texas, and then moved to JP7, Eastland County, Texas before 1935.

"1930 census Age 6 living with his parents and five siblings and his paternal grandfather in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas."

"1935 living in JP7 Eastland County, Texas."

Education and Civilian Life:

Brashear had one year of college education.

Prior to enlisting, he was employed by the Texas Highway Department.

"Registered for the WW2 draft... and listed his mother as next of kin."

"Edwin E. Brashear... a single white male born 1923 in Texas and residing in Brown County, Texas working for Texas Highway Dept. with one year of college education..."

Military Service:

He enlisted in the US Army Air Forces from civilian life in Dallas, Texas on July 6, 1942.

His Army Serial Number was asn-18083055.

He was assigned to the 26th Bombardment Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the 7th Air Force.

He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant (O-758298).

He was a pilot flying the Consolidated B-24L-5-CO Liberator.

"enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Forces in Dallas, Texas on 6 July 1942."

"First Lieutenant Edwin E. Brashear O-758298 US Army Air Forces 26th Bombardment Squadron 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 7th Air Force was the pilot of Consolidated B-24L-5-CO Liberator..."

Marriage:

He married Miss Bettie Jo Hard in Brown County, Texas on November 9, 1943.

"Married Miss Bettie Jo Hard in Brown County, Texas on 9 November 1943."

Combat and Death:

Brashear was the pilot of a B-24, tail number 44-41465, nicknamed 'Royal Flush'.

His crew was stationed at Guam Air Base and deployed on February 10, 1945, for a combat bombing mission to Hahajima Island.

While over the target and with bomb bay doors open the plane was hit by enemy flak inside the bomb bay fuel tank, causing it to burst into flames and break up.

The B-24 went down about two miles offshore.

1Lt Brashear and nine others were killed in the crash.

The tail gunner was the sole survivor, escaping and being rescued.

"Over the target after dropping their bomb load and with the bomb bay doors open the B-24 was hit inside the bomb bay fuel tank by enemy flak and burst into flames and broke up."

"The B-24 went down about two miles off shore and 1Lt Brashear and nine others were killed, the tail gunner escaped and was rescued."

Memorialization:

1Lt Brashear's name, along with those of the other MIAs from the incident, is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial in Hawaii.

"The MIAs including 1Lt Brashear are memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii."

Key Takeaways:

Edwin Ernest Brashear was a young man who transitioned from civilian life to military service during World War II.

He was a pilot in the US Army Air Forces and served with a bombing group.

He was tragically killed in action during a bombing mission in the Pacific theater.

His sacrifice is commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing, reflecting the enduring impact of his service.

Further Research:

Additional details on Edwin E. Brashear’s military service, family life, and education could be sought from military records and genealogical databases.

Further information on the specific bombing mission to Hahajima Island and the loss of B-24 'Royal Flush' could be researched.

This briefing document provides a solid foundation for understanding the life and service of Edwin Ernest Brashear based on the provided excerpt.