December 1944. West Field, Tinian. VPB-111 arcft. #38906, "Reputation Cloudy" crewed by CAC #12. Standing left to right: PPC Lt H.H. Ashton; 1P Lt(jg) W.R. Hutchinson; 1R ACRM J.C. Gibson; AG S1c K.D. LaCount.
Kneeling left to right: 2P Ens J.R. Hanzel; Ord AOM1c F.K. Mills Jr: 2R ARM3c E. Trybala: AG AMMF3c J.G. Bell; PC AMM21c S. Leonetti; 1M AMM2c F.H. Brauner.
Note the aircraft identification information over the 06 on the side of the aircraft. The names "Sharon, Ash and Lorraine" are painted above the cloud surrounding Miss "Reputation Cloudy." The name "Jerry" is painted below the Nav window.
On 21 February 1945, having departed Tacloban, Leyte in the early morning hours Lt Ashton and his crew intercespted a Japanese "Topsy" (Mitsubishi Ki-57 Army Type 100 twin-engine transport) just north of Miyako Island! in Nansei-Shoto (southwest group) of the Ryukyu Islands, approximately 224NM from Okinawa and 177NM from Formosa. After a six minute chase Lt Ashton caught up with the "Topsy" and his crew commenced fire with AOM1c Mills the bow gunner hitting the "Topsy's" starboard wing root, gas tank and fueslage, AMM1c Leonetti at the deck gun hitting the top of the fuselage, S1c LaCount on the stardboard waist gun hitting the fuselage and AMMF3c Bell in the tail position hitting the fuselage and empennage. Lt Ashton and crew were credited with an air-to-air shoot down of and enemy aircraft.