Charles F. Gumm Jr.

Charles Francis Gumm Jr. (October 29, 1920 – March 1, 1944) was an American flying ace in the 354th Fighter Group and the first pilot to score an aerial victory in the North American P-51 Mustang.

Early life Gumm was born in 1920 in Spokane, Washington. He was a relative of actress Judy Garland. After graduating from John R. Rogers High School in 1939, he attended Gonzaga University for higher studies.

Military career After the entry of United States into World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Gumm dropped out of his studies at Gonzaga and enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the United States Army Air Forces in January 1942. He earned his wings and commission as second lieutenant in September 1942. In the same year, he married Muriel Wiley with whom he would have a daughter.

Gumm (second from left) and his crew chiefs standing next to his P-51B 'My Toni' On January 29, 1944, Gumm shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 over Frankfurt, Germany, his second aerial victory. On February 11, he shot down a Messerschmitt Me 410 and Ju 88 over Frankfurt, bringing his total to four aerial victories. On February 21, during a bomber escort over Brunswick, Germany, Gumm shot down a Bf 110, his fifth aerial victory and became the first flying ace of the 354th FG and in the P-51. On February 25, he shot down a Bf 109 over Munich, his sixth and last aerial victory.

Gumm was credited with the destruction of 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 2 probable, and 8 damaged in aerial combat. While serving with the 354th FG, his P-51 was named after his wife and daughter, bearing the name "My Toni".

Death Memorial bench honoring Gumm at the courtyard of St. James Church in Nayland-with-Wissington On March 1, 1944, Gumm took off from RAF Boxted for a training flight in his P-51. Moments later his aircraft encountered engine trouble. Gumm had the chance to bail out but as he was flying over the English town of Nayland, he did not want to be responsible for any civilian casualties if his P-51 were to crash. He remained in his stricken aircraft and while guiding it down to an open field, flew too low and struck a tree. The P-51 cartwheeled, throwing Gumm from the cockpit and killing him.

Awards and decorations

Army Air Forces Pilot Badge Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Soldier's MedalAir Medalwith three bronze oak leaf clustersAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith bronze campaign starWorld War II Victory MedalCroix de Guerre with Palm(France)

Army Presidential Unit Citation

Aerial victory credits