USAAF P-47 Pilot Aubrey Charles Stanhope and his wife Muriel in England - 1943
Stanhope was an Eagle Squadron Pilot with 121 Sqn RAF when he met Muriel Lauther and they got married, residing near Debden
Sometime after the USA entered WW2, Stanhope was transferred to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF
On September 7, 1943, Aubrey Stanhope was flying P-47C 41-6207 escorting B-17s over Belgium when he was downed by German fighters
Stanhope bailed out and was captured, being initially held at Stalag Luft III in Sagan-Silesia until being liberated in April 1945
Mrs Stanhope was featured in the December 20, 1943 LIFE Magazine Issue; “U.S. Pilots Wife”, which had pictures of them both and went into her coping with her Husband being captured
Aubrey Stanhope was Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943 and later retired from the USAF as a Lieutenant Colonel
He passed on September 11, 1994 at the age of 74 and is buried at Saint Patricks Catholic Cemetery, Damariscotta Mills, Maine
There is a “Muriel Grace Stanhope” listed as being buried in the same Maine Cemetery as Aubrey Stanhope who passed on January 27, 2017
Muriel is described as being born in Canada and brought up in England
Thanks to John Klear for his assistance
LIFE Magazine Archives - Frank Scherschel Photographer