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He enlisted in the Army Air Corp, graduated Cadet Training School, and served proudly with distinction, with the legendary Flying Tigers, in the 528th Fighter Squadron in China; that Squadron receiving the Presidential Unit Citation and Earl awarded the highest Air Corp/Air Force honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and piloted virtually every heralded fighter aircraft used to achieve Allied victory. Following WWII, Earl test flew aircraft for the USAF, and served with a chosen few, to pilot the first jet aircraft produced, as well as an expert test pilot for North American Aviation. On January 20, 1951, he married his loving wife of 58 years, Jane Ann Mallay and shortly thereafter defended his country in combat during the Korean War, then rounding out his active duty service during the war in Southeast Asia (Vietnam). Lt. Colonel Ashworth, throughout his long career with the Army Air Corp and the United States Air Force earned among the following: The Distinguished Flying Cross, the WWII Air Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Asia-Pacific Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, to name a few; and was the only Air Force fighter pilot to receive the Army Commendation Medal. During the 1950s and 1960s, Lt. Colonel Ashworth piloted the array of fighter aircraft jets and was widely known as among the nations top fighter pilots. His last mission serving his country, was as a civilian, during the Cold War, where Lt. Col. Ashworth served as the Fighter Aircraft Attack SPO Director at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for 15 years, providing the Department of Defense with his vast knowledge of fighter aircraft tactics and overseas defense contracts with Americas allies and treaty partners. He also has the rare distinction of serving in high level posts during overseas duty assignments with both the European Allied Command the Pacific Allied Command. Lt. Colonel Ashworth was the last surviving Flying Tiger in the state of Ohio and maintained close friendships with his fighter pilot brethren, through annual reunions with his beloved 528th Fighter Squadron.
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