Check Six – Mid-1950s: James Ashford

This undated photograph shows James Ashford getting ready to get into the cockpit for a mission. The crew chief could not be identified. 

Jim Ashford was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i on July 13, 1923. He grew up in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School in 1941. In World War II, he served as a fighter pilot in the Ninth Air Force in Europe. He attained the rank of Captain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and several Air Medals for his service. He was a member of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard and a jet pilot for 26 years. Jim retired as a Colonel and the Commander of the 154th Fighter Group in 1978.

Related Retiree News posts:
Taps: James Ashford – complete obituary and more photographs
Colonel Ashford’s Services – more photographs

The 199th Fighter Squadron flew the North American F-86E Sabre from 1954 through 1958, when they converted to the F86L Sabre Interceptor.