| Obit For | Hugh S. Brixey, Jr. |
|---|---|
| Headline | LT. H. S. BRIXEY, JR. KILLED IN PLANE CRASH IN CHINA Wires Flash Sad News to Wife and parents Tuesday Morning; Accident Happened on Sunday, Oct. 15 |
| Text | #1. Combined cable and telegraph lines ticked the sad news of the death of Lt. Hugh Brixey, Jr. son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Brixey of Cassville, in an airplane crash over China, Sunday October 15. The news stilled the voices of the many friends of this fine young man who died, like many other, that the principles of the country may live and freedom assured everyone.
The news came Tuesday morning in a message from the War Department. There was no details, Mrs. Brixey was here with her parents-in-law where she had made her home since her husband went overseas. Lt. Brixey was a native of this community and a young man held in the highest esteem and respect by all who knew him. He was graduated from the Cassville High School and attended the universities of Missouri and Arkansas, enlisting in the Air Corps from the latter over two years ago. He was about 26 years of age. After intensive training in California and other western air fields he was assigned to the supply command and stationed in India to take supplies to the United States forces in China. He was expecting to receive a furlough in a short time and visit home by Thanksgiving was being anticipated with great glee by Mrs. Brixey and his parents, who were making great plans for the occasion. Surviving besides those named are two sisters, Mrs. Amos Horner, temporarily located in Arizona where her husband is employed, and Mrs. Harry Stacery of Miami, Okla. The news was indeed a shock to the community and the many friends of this fine family extend their most sincere sympathy to the grief stricken over their loss of a husband, son and brother with so many sterling qualities. Research Note: Barry Co. MoGenWeb Site Maplewood Cemetery list Memorial Stone. IN MEMORY OF HUGH S. BRIXEY, JR. 1ST LIEUTENANT U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS. FEB. 1, 1919, OCT. 15, 1944 #2. Cassville Democrat - Nov. 23, 1944 - ARMY CHAPLIN WRITES ABOUT LT. BRIXEY’S DEATH Letter To Well Known Young Man’s Widow Relates That Entire Crew Died in Crash; Is Awarded Air Medal. All members of the crew with Lt. H. S. Brixey, Jr. died with him in an airplane crash in China, Chaplin William P. McMullin wrote to his wife Mrs. Lorene L. Brixey, who lives here with her late husband’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Brixey. The letter was written on October 24, and even though bringing confirmation of the sad news was gratifying to the family and friends of Lt. Brixey a fine young man who was held in such high esteem and regarded by all who knew him and most estimable family. The letter from Chaplin McMullin in part said: “Your husband, Lt. Brixey was lost with all member of the crew, in an airplane crash in China on October 15, 1944. Investigation revealed that death was sudden, merciful and without suffering. He was laid to rest with full military honors in the American Military Cemetery, near APO 627 in China on October 18, 1944. A detachment of soldiers from the field formed a guard of honor under the Commanding Officer, the service was conducted by Protestant Chaplin, the casket was draped in the American flag, a volley was fired and Taps sounded. Thus did the U.S. Army Air Forces honor one who had served so loyally and so well. “ Lt. Birxey was one of the most valuable members of this command. We regret his loss deeply. His courage and devotion to duty will always be a credit to the Air Transport Command. He was engaged in flying one of the most dangerous routes in the world, bringing the weapons of Victory to our forces in China. He was a soldier in every sense of the world and you may justly be proud of him.” Award of an Air Medal to Lt. Brixey has been posthumously announced by Brig. Gen. William H. Tunner, commanding general of the India China Division, Transport Command. The award was made upon completion of 150 hours of operational flight in transport aircraft over the dangerous and difficult India-China air routes, where enemy interception and attack was expected. The citation accompanying the award adds: “Flying at night as well as by day, at high altitudes over impassable, mountainous terrain through areas characterized by extremely treacherous weather conditions necessitating long periods of operation on instruments… requiring courageous and superior performances of his duties to overcome… he accomplished his mission with distinction…” The award was made for the period of service September 3, 1943 to May 7, 1944. |
| Newspaper or Funeral Home | Cassville Democrat |
| Date | #1. Oct. 26, 1944 - #2. Nov. 23, 1944 |
| Death Cert Link | - |
| Resource | - |
| Submitted by | Barbara Erwin |
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