Sgt Ernest L. Pugh
U.S. Army Air Force, 19th Bombardment Group, 30th Bombardment Squadron
Gunner B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 Missing In Action (MIA) September 15, 1942

Background
Ernest Louis Pugh was born September 24, 1920 to parents Lee Pugh and Emma Coleman Pugh in City of Buena Vista, Virginia. He was adopted by Mr. George Walker and Mrs. Sarah Jane Walker of Sassafras, Virginia. He attended Botetourt High School class of 1940 in Gloucester Courthouse in Virginia.

Wartime History
On June 12, 1940 he enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) with serial number 6947173. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Assigned to the 49th Bombardment Squadron (49th BS) at Langley Field in Virginia. On December 17, 1941 passenger aboard B-17B Flying Fortress 38-267 that crashed after take off and Pugh was injured then recovered and returned to duty.

At the Langley Field PX, he met Dorothy Elizabeth Pierce and began dating. On May 1, 1942 the couple married by Reverend Jack Cunningham, pastor of Hampton Church of Christ at his home of Chapel Street in Newport News, Virginia. Her sister was the maid of honor and only attendant. Once married, the couple took a trip over the Skyline Drive and Buena Vista then stayed at a home in Langley View.

Six days later, Pugh was sent overseas to Australia. Assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS) as a gunner aboard B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.

On August 12, 1942 Pugh was a gunner aboard a B-17 on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. The formation of eight B-17s was attacked by Zero fighters before, during and after the bomb run. Gunners aboard the B-17s claimed three shot down and claimed to sink or badly damage four ships. For his actions on the mission, Pugh earned the Silver Star.

Mission History
On September 15, 1942 at 5:30pm took off as co-pilot aboard B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 on a night mission against Rabaul. After take off, no further contact was made with this bomber. On September 16, 1942 at 1:30am, when this B-17 failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Pugh was was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. He earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Pugh is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He is also memorialized on a World War II marker in Gloucester, VA.

Relatives
Dorothy Elizabeth Pierce Cannady (widow, remarried 1946 died 2009)
Sarah Jane Horsley Walker (adopted mother died June 19, 1948)

References
Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) Ernest L. Pugh
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Ernest L. Pugh
DPAA Personnel File - Ernest L. Pugh
FindAGrave - Sgt Ernest Louis Pugh (marriage certificate, tablets of the missing)
Richmond Times-Dispatch "Club to Hear Ernest Pugh" November 22, 1940 page 8
Daily Press "Pugh-Pierce Marriage Is Announced" May 3, 1942 page 31
Hanford Morning Journal "19 Missing Or Dead in U.S. Planes" December 20, 1941 page 1
Daily Press "Sergt. Ernest Pugh Reported Missing" September 27, 1942 page 32
Gloucester-Mathews Gazette "Gloucester Flyer Cited For Bravery" November 26, 1942 page 1
The Richmond Lews Ledger "More Than 25 Virginians Win Decorations For Heroic Exploits in Southwest Pacific" April 29, 1943 page 6
Gloucester Mathews Gazette Journal "Missing WWII plane found on Pacific island; Gloucester man in crew" August 6, 2025 by Elsa Verbyla pages A1, A7
Thanks to Meredith Larsen for additional information

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