March 14, 1915 - June 22, 1943

Ipswich USAF Military Cemetery
Queensland, Australia

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii

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Gold Star Mother
Cornelia “Nelia” (Johnson) Aubert

Memorial Marker

Hasley Cemetery
West Monroe, Quachita Parish, Louisiana

Find A Grave Memorial

Reserve Officers Seek Army Berths
Eight Day Exams For 38 Second Lieutenants

Maxwell Field authorities said yesterday that 38 second lieutenants, Air Corps Reserve, would be given examinations, beginning Feb. 13, for permanent commission in the Air Corps, Regular Army. The tests will be given at the Tactical School Building and will require about eight days.

Those scheduled to take the examinations, all recent graduates of the Air Corps Training Center, Randolph Field, Texas, are: ….George J. Aubert…

The examinations will be given by a board consisting of Maj. Julian B. Haddon, Capt. John E. Pluenneke, and Capts. Maurice F. Daly and Delmat T. Spivery.

Classes in engines and navigation have been conducted at Maxwell Field in recent weeks, preparatory to the tests, by Capt. Charles A. Bassett, 23^rd Composite Group, and Capt. N. B. Harbold, 91^st School Squadron.

The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, February 6, 1940
 

Lieutenant David E. Pace, Duncan Field, Texas, and Lieutenant George J. Aubert, Maxwell Field, Ala., were week-end guests of their parents, Mrs. S. K. Pace and Mrs. Geroge J. Aubert, of West Monroe. Both of the young officers recently finished at Randolph Field, Texas, and hold commissions in the United States air corps. They flew to Monroe, landing at Selman Field.

The News-Star, Monroe, Louisiana, July 15, 1940
 

George J. Aubert - front row, far right
Orlando Evening Star, September 24, 1940
 

Aubert Promoted

Second Lieutenant George J. Aubert, graduate of the University of Tampa, has been promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, War Department officials announced. He is the son of Mrs. Cornelia Aubert, Monroe, La.

The Tampa Times, November 26, 1941
 

A Captain Now

The War Department has announced the promotion of Squadron Commander G. J. Aubert to the rank of captain at Turner Field, Albany, Ga. Captain Aubert graduated from the University of Tampa with a B. S. degree in 1938. He was a member of the Spartan football team and a track man. Captain Aubert became a member of the Caterpillar Club with an emergency jump on June 8, 1941.

The Tampa Times, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, April 8, 1942
 

The Tampa Times, November 26, 1942
 

Former Tampa Grid Star Gets Major’s Rank

Rome, N. Y. – (INS) – Capt. George J. Aubert, former University of Tampa gridiron star and son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Aubert [Mrs. Cornelia Aubert*] of West Monroe, La., yesterday was promoted to major.

Major Aubert is serving as assistant operations officer at the Rome Air Depot.

Tampa Bay Times, January 12, 1943

[*Father, George Addren Aubert, died September 23, 1936]
 

George J. Aubert Promoted To Major

George J. Aubert, son of Mrs. Cornelia Aubert, West Monroe, has been promoted to the rank of major, according to an announcement received from the Rome air depot, Rome, N. Y.

Major Aubert enlisted as an aviation cadet, receiving training at Randolph and Kelly Fields, graduating in November, 1939. He has been on active duty since that time.

His first post was at Maxwell Field, Ala., where he was assigned as a test pilot. In October, 1941, he was assigned to Turner Field, Ga., and named squadron commander of the 556^th school squadron. Under his leadership the squadron set a record in November, 1942, by flying 3,000 hours with ninety-nine percent of its ships in commission for the entire month.

While at Turner, Major Aubert promoted and coached the Turner Field boxing team.

Following his graduation from the Ouachita Parish High school, Major Aubert attended the University of Tampa, Tampa, Fla. While there he starred at football, and in his senior year played 60 minutes of every game at right guard, He graduated from Tampa in 1938.

Major Aubert is a member of the Caterpillar club, having bailed out of a burning plane at a height of 300 feet in Florida. He reported to the Rome air depot early in January, where he was assigned as assistant operations officer.

Monroe News-Star, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, January 19, 1943
 

Have You Met—

Major George J. Aubert, Assistant Operations Officer, who admits his primary objective in life is to shoot down some Germans or Japs in combat.

Worked In The Oil Fields

Following his graduations from the Ouchita High School in 1933, Major Aubert attended Louisiana State University for a short time. The sedentary campus life did not agree with him, however, and he left school for the New Mexico oil fields, where he got a job laying pipe.

After a year of this, he decided that college life wasn’t completely unattractive, and he returned to school, this time at the University of Tampa, where he earned an enviable reputation throughout the South as a football player.

Sports writers fondly referred to him as an “iron man” during his Senior year because of his ability to play 60 minutes of every game.

Entered Politics

Upon graduating from the University of Tampa, he took a job with the Tampa Election Board, explaining:

“Politics in Tampa at the time weren’t all they should be. My rather, who was welterweight champion of the Mississippi Valley had taught me how to fight, and after playing football I was in pretty good shape, so the Tampa Election Board gave me a job challenging voters.

Major Aubert fondly recalls that the only excitement provided by his job occurred one election night when a challenged voter took exception to the challenge.

Before the argument ended, Major Aubert admits, one of the workers at the poll put in a call for a Riot Squad. The Major insists the call was unnecessary as the “riot” never got beyond the argumentative stage.

Joined Air Corps

It was about this time that he decided his future lay with the Army Air Forces, and in January 1939, he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet and was sent to Randolph Field, where he took his primary and basic training.

After successfully completing both courses, he was sent to Kelly Field for his advanced training. He received his commission and ___ings and was ordered to Maxwell Field with the 23^rd Composite Group.

While with the 23^rd Composite Group, he was assigned to test work. He explained:

“I was intensely interested in this assignment. Many of the things developed by the group are now being used in this war. Much of the modern aircraft camouflage was first tried out by the Group, and a number of other features have proven themselves in this war.

“Naturally, I can’t talk too much about this phase because the bulk of the work was secret, and a lot of it is still under active development.”

Member of Caterpillar Club

The group was later transferred to Elgin Field, Florida, and it was here that Major Aubert became a member of the famed Caterpillar Club.

A broken fuel line set fire to the ship he was flying. Major Aubert tried to bring the ship in by side-slipping the flames away from the cockpit.

The maneuver was successful, he stated, until he was ready to begin his approach to the runways. He said:

“As I leveled off and prepared to glide in, the flames swept into the cockpit and I knew I was going to have to bail out. I was only a few hundred feet above the ground, and I didn’t think I’d make it, but I went over the side and pulled the rip cord.

“The chute apparently opened just before I hit because I remember hitting the ground, and then I was knocked cold. I came too with men working over me.”

Commanded School Squadron

In October, 1941, Major Aubert was assigned to Turner Field, Georgia, where he was named Squadron Commander of the 556^th School Squadron.

In November, 1942, his Squadron flew 3,000 hours and kept 99 per cent of its ships in commission for the entire month.

Major Aubert is probably prouder of this than any other single feature of his career, because this set a record for Squadron efficiency in the Southeast Training Center.

It was while he was at Turner Field that Major Aubert also coached the Turner Field Boxing Team, which won the championship of the Southeast Training Center.

He is the son of Mrs. Cornelia Aubert of West Monroe, La.

Major Aubert reported here for duty January 4, 1943.

Daily Sentinel, February 18, 1943
 

Photo courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer Iver J. #50076599

Major Aubert Is Killed in Accident In North Pacific

Mrs. Cornelia Aubert, 403 Bancroft boulevard received a message Tuesday from the War Department saying that her son, Major George J. Aubert, 29 years old, lost his life in an accident somewhere in the North Pacific on June 22.

Major Aubert was born and reared in West Monroe and graduated from Ouachita Parish High School, Northeast Junior College and the University of Florida. He received his early training at Kelly Field and Randolph Field and advanced rapidly.

A brother, Lieut. Bendel Aubert, an air corps pilot, lost his life in a plane accident in North Carolina two months ago and was buried from the Methodist church here, where the brothers were members.

Major Aubert is survived by his wife, who resides in Florida, his mother, and by a sister, Mrs. Julia Looney, who resides in California.

The Ouachita Citizen, West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, July 2, 1943
 

First Burial
Ipswich USAF Military Cemetery
Queensland, Australia
Courtesy of Whitehead Family-Whitehead Studios & Picture Ipswich
 

Former OAB Airman Killed in South Seas
Aubert Survived By Orlando Wife

Maj. George J. Aubert, formerly stationed at the Orlando Air Base, and who married an Orlando girl, Mary Louise Johnson in May, 1942, was reported killed on June 22 in the South Pacific war zone in a plane crash, according to information reaching Mrs. Aubert today from the War Department.

Maj. Aubert was from Monroe, La., and came to Orlando with one of the early air corps units after the founding of the Orlando Air Base. He was with the 54^th Bombardment Group here. Later he was transferred to Albany, Ga.., and went overseas about a month ago. He was a bomber pilot in the service.

Mrs. Aubert is the daughter of Mrs. Mortimer Johnson of 139 E. New Hampshire Ave., the home of a second daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Dry. Mrs. Aubert is a graduate of Orlando Senior High School.

Besides his wife**, Maj. Aubert leaves his mother, Mrs. Cornelia Aubert and a sister, Mrs. John Lawney, in Monroe, La. A brother William Aubert died in the service recently. No details of the crash were available, but the War Department advised that further information would be sent later.

Orlando Evening Star, Orlando, Orange County, Florida, July 7, 1943

** Major George J. Aubert married Miss Mary Louise Johnson [April 14, 1917 - June 16, 1975] on May 16, 1942 while serving in Florida. They had no children. Following his death, she remarried on November 6, 1945 to Rev. Robert C. Cartwright [August 2, 1922 - January 11, 2004]. They shared in the joy of three children. Obituaries for both indicate following their funeral services they were cremated. 
 

Final Burial
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii
Courtesy of Gerald Watanabe
 

Tribute Paid to Maj. Aubert
Classmate Dedicates Book To Wisner Officer Who Gave His Life

A touching tribute to the memory of Maj. George Aubert, a Wisner, La., World War II officer, who was killed in action in the South Pacific in 1943, was paid at Tampa University, Fla., recently when a booklet, dedicated to him and written by a university classmate, George Kayton, was placed in the library of the institution. It is entitled; “Swing It High Sweet Saxophone.”

Major Aubert was born March 15, 1913, and attended Ouachita Parish High School, where he graduated June 2, 1933. He then attended Northeast Junior College two years, being active in athletics. Later he was graduated from the Tampa (Fla.) University. He then entered with a class of 180 as cadet in the West Point of the Air at San Antonio, Tex., being trained at Randolph and Kelly Fields. He was awarded his wings and became a second lieutenant Nov. 28, 1939.

His first assignment was at Maxwell Field where he trained for bomber pilot and was attached to the 54^th bomb squadron when it moved to an army air base at Orlando, Fla., in March, 1941.

He was transferred to Elgin Field, Fla., and soon after made a first lieutenant. In November he was transferred to Turner Field, Albany, Ga., to assume command of a squadron and was promoted to captain.

He received many citations for outstanding work. At his request Captain Aubert was transferred to the air depot at Rome, N. Y. where he was a test pilot, testing planes to be sent overseas for combat.

In December, 1942, he was promoted to major and in the spring of 1943 he sailed with the 15^th air depot repair squadron, 15^th air depot group, for duty in the Southwest pacific. His plane crashed June 22, 1943, in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, in which he lost his life.

Monroe Morning World, Monroe, Louisiana, June 30, 1946
 

Mary Louise Cartwright

On June 16, 1975, Mary Louise, (nee Johnson), of Baltimore Highlands, the beloved wife of Rev. Robert C. Cartwright and devoted mother of Kathleen L., David H. and Robert C Cartwright, Jr. Also survived by three grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Howard H. Hubbard Funeral Home, Inc., 4107 Wilkens avenue on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 go 9 P. M. Memorial Services on Thursday at 2 P. M., in the Christ United Methodist Church, Florida and Bryan streets (Baltimore Highlands). (The family requests those desiring make contributions to the Board of Child Care of the Methodist Church, 3300 Gaither road, Baltimore, Md. 21207.)

The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, June 18, 1975

Find A Grave Memorial
 

Gold Star Mother
Cornelia “Nelia” (Johnson) Aubert

Second Lieutenant
William Bendel Aubert
U. S. Army Air Forces
Ser. # 0-730839

January 29, 1922
Ouachita Parish, Louisiana
March 18, 1943
Winnsboro, Fairfield County, South Carolina

Hasley Cemetery
West Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana
 

Find A Grave Memorial

Lieut. Aubert Dies in Crash
West Monroe Man One Of Eight To Lose Lives

Eight men were killed in the crash of a medium army bomber near Winnsboro, South Carolina, officials of the Greenville, South Carolina, air base reported Friday morning in an Associated Press story. One of the victims was Second Lieutenant William Aubert, son of Mrs. Cornelia Johnson Aubert of Bancroft Avenue, West Monroe.

Others who met their deaths in the accident were: First Lieutenant Stephen G. Link of New Britain, Conn.; First Lieutenant Jack D. Ledbetter, Rome Ga.; Staff Sargent Gerald W. Deborde, gunner, Portland, Ore.; Sargent Edward J. Dubicki, Newburton, Conn.; Staff Sargent Dennis A. Wihl, engineer, Pickneyville, Ill.; Staff Sargent Aaron F. White, engineer, Dallas, West Virginia; Staff Sargent Ernest J. Storm, engineer, Dallas, Tex.

Lieutenant Aubert who was 21 in January graduated at Ouachita Parish High School in 1937 and attended Northeast Junior College one year. He took up aviation and was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. He was well known here and had many friends in the Twin Cities.

He leaves his mother, a sister: Mrs. John Launey of California, and a brother: Major George J. Aubert, 28, stationed in New York at present.

No details have as yet been learned of the accident or of the time of arrival of the body of Lieutenant Aubert, but it will probably be early next week.

Monroe News-Star, Monroe, Louisiana, March 19, 1943
 

8 Die In Crash Of Army Bomber
Plane From Greenville Base Crashes To Earth Near Winnsboro

Eight crew members of a medium bomber from the Greenville Army Air base died when their ship, part of a formation, crashed near Winnsboro on a routine training flight Thursday, the base public relations office announced yesterday.

Wreckage of the plane was scattered over a wide area. Home guardsmen at Winnsboro took charge until Air force officers arrived.

The dead and their next of kin were listed by Air Base officials as:

First Lieut. Stephen G. Link, pilot, son of Frank Link of New Britain, Conn.
Second Lieut. William B. Aubert, son of Mrs. Cornelia J. Aubert of 403 Van Craft boulevard, West Monroe, La.
First Lieut. Jack D. Ledbetter, son of W. P. Ledbetter of 406 East Third St., Rome, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Gerald W. DeBorde, gunner, son of Mrs. Doris D. Spencer of 8125 Southeast Washington St., Portland Ore.
Sgt. Edward J. Dubicki, gunner, son of John F. Dubicki of 105 Smalley St., New Britain, Conn.
Staff Sgt. Dennis A. Wihl, engineer, son of Mrs. Louise Wihl, R. F. D. 1, Pickneyville, Ill.
Staff Sgt. Aaron F. White, engineer, son of Mrs. Lillian T. White, R. F. D. 1, Dallas, W. Va.
Staff Sgt. Ernest J. Storm, engineer, son of Mrs. Ray Allen Storm, of 6439 Lanno St., Dallas, Tex.

The wife of Lt. Aubert is making her home at 106 Grove Ave. in Greenville.

Staff Sgt. DeBorde’s wife has also been making her home here at 609 N. Main St.

The public relations office said the crash was being investigated by a board of officers from the Columbia air base, and GAB officials had also gone to the scene.

The Greenville News, Greenville, South Carolina, March 20, 1943
 

Body to Arrive

The body of Second Lieutenant William Bendel Aubert, 21, son of Mrs. Cornelia J. Aubert of West Monroe, who was killed in a bomber crash near Winnsboro, S. C., last week will arrive in Monroe by train Monday at 8:10 p. m., but no funeral arrangements have yet been completed.

Monroe News-Star, Monroe Louisiana, March 22, 1943
 

Military Funeral Held For Aubert

A full military funeral conducted for Second Lieutenant William Bendel Aubert, 21, son of Mrs. Cornelia J. Aubert of West Monroe, was held at the Dixie Funeral home, Tuesday at 4 p. m. His death and that of seven others occurred when an army bomber crashed near Winnsboro, S. C., last week.

The body arrived here on a night train Monday, accompanied by military escort.

The service held here was in charge of Dr. C. Karlos Smith, pastor of the First Methodist church in West Monroe.

The full military service, with army flyers from Seiman Field in charge, was held at the grave in Hasley cemetery, West Monroe. Pallbearers were attaches from Selman Field.

Lieutenant Aubert graduated from Ouachita Parish High school in 1937 and attended Northeast Junior college one year.

He leaves his mother; a sister, Mrs. John Launey, of California; and a brother, Major George J. Aubert, 28, stationed with the army in New York.

Monroe News-Star, Monroe, Louisiana, March 23, 1943
 

Wisner…

On March 18 Lt. William B. Aubert, son of Mrs. Cornelia Johnson Aubert, of West Monroe, who was a member of the U. S. army air forces, met his death in the crash of a medium bomber at Winnsboro, S. C., and was among seven who lost their lives in the crash. Lt. Aubert is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jean Aubert**, his mother, Mrs. Cornelia Johnson Aubert, a sister, Mrs. John Launey of California, and a brother, Major George J. Aubert, 28, stationed at the air base at Rome, N. Y. Lt. Aubert’s mother will be remembered by old-timers in Wisner as Miss Neely Johnson, who formerly resided in Wisner.

The Franklin Sun, March 25, 1943

**2nd Lieutenant William B. Aubert married Miss Imogene "Jeanne" Wimberly [January 10, 1924 - April 26, 1987] of Oklahoma most likely while he was stationed at the Will Rogers Field located at Oklahoma City, OK in 1942 [no record of their marriage has been found].

Following his death, she remarried on May 16, 1944 to Theodore Rolland Landgraf, Jr. (1919 - 2014) in Ada, OK. [She then married Arthur Lee Charlton (1918 - 1998) on April 1, 1961, in San Diego, CA. She then married Louis Brandt Hart (1909 - 1992) on February 18, 1970 in Imperial, CA] She died on April 26, 1987, at the age of 63 and was buried with her husband Louis Brandt Hart at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA after his death in 1992.
 

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