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Contact Info
Home Town Muskogee
Last Address Muskogee
MIA Date Jan 27, 1944
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Solomon Islands
Location of Memorial Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
Service number 020369
Lt. Clyde Askew was a pilot of a Marine F-4U and was credited with the shoot down of 1 Japanese "Zeke" on 18 January 1944 (near Duke of York Island). His unit was flying out of Piva Yoke Fighter Airstrip, Bouganville, Island, Solomon Islands. On 27 January 1944, he was lost while escorting USAAF B-25s on a mission to bomb the Japanese on Rabaul. He served as wingman for another Marine, Lt. Taylor, who was forced to make a water landing near Cape Torokina due to mechanical problems. Lt. Taylor was later picked up. Lt. Taylor observed Lt. Askew, whose aircraft also developed mechanical problems, make a water landing. Lt. Askew did not get out of the aircraft before it sank. A later search by search boat came up empty handed. A Memorial grave marker was setup at Ft Gibson National Cemetery, Section MA Site 11. He remains MIA for nearly 40 years, Lt Askew was given honors 11 Nov 1983.
Northern Solomon Islands Campaign (1943-44)/Battle of Vella Lavella
From Month/Year
August / 1943
To Month/Year
October / 1943
Description The Battle of Vella Lavella was fought from 15 August – 9 October 1943 between Japan and the Allied forces from New Zealand and the United States. Vella Lavella is an island located in the Solomon Islands that had been occupied by Japanese forces. The Allies successfully recaptured the island. Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella was later the homebase of VMF-214 "Blacksheep" and its CO Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.
