Leslie Herschel Nave was born on 26 August 1920, the son of Henry Eugene Nave and Hettie Mae Gouge. His brother Harry K. Nave, Aviation Cadet, 21 years old, died 1943 in a plane crash at the Roswell Army Flying School.
He died on 9 Aug 1944 in Italy
27th Fighter Group, 523rd Fighter Squadron
Fighter Pilot, 2nd Lieutenant
Aircraft: Thunderbolt P-47D-23-RA
Serial number 42-28090
Destination: bomb and strafe on a bridge at J-6333 on the Casale-Monferrate line in Italy.
At approximately 1725 hours, prior to the attack on the target, he entered a cloud bank. He was separated from his flight leader, Captain Cecil A. Thomas. He crashed 3 Km East of Villanova, near Casale-Monferrate.
The aircraft was probably struck by lightning at the place of the crash, on the ground. The bomb load exploded, the machine with the pilot was torn into small parts. Apparently his remains were recovered and buried on 10 August 1944.
He is buried in the Laurel Section of Happy Valley Memorial Park.
The Elizabethton Star, 4 March 1949
Funeral services for Second Lt. Leslie Herschel Nave will be conducted at the First Baptist Church. Lieutenant Nave was reported missing in action August 9, 1944, while on a bombing mission over Italy. Nothing was heard from him for nearly eight months when the family received word that Lieutenant Nave had been killed in action on August 9, 1944. Lieutenant Nave was born August 26, 1920. He graduated from Elizabethton High School in the class of 1939 and was a member of the First Baptist Church. At the time of entering service he was affiliated with the Free Service Tire Company and was also connected with the Elizabethton Fire Department. Prior to this he was employed at the American Bemberg Corporation. He volunteered for service in the Air Corps, and entered this branch in March, 1943, receiving his training at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala., Cochran Army Air Field, Macon, Ga., Darr Aero Tech. Flying Field, Albany, Ga., and received his wings and commission at Spence Field, Moultrie, Ga., January 7, 1944. He went overseas in June, 1944. Lieutenant Nave was a member of the 112th Fighter Group flying a P-47 Thunderbolt. His group was based on the Isle of Corsica, as it was from this base while on a bombing mission over Italy that he failed to return.
Gen. H.H. Arnold, commanding general, Army Air Forces, states that Lieutenant Nave, throughout his military career, displayed devotion to duty and thoroughness in the execution of assignments that were examples for his comrades to follow. His reputation while he was in training at Spence Field was exemplary, and he assumed the responsibilities of a pilot with courage and determination.
His brother, Aviation Cadet Harry K. Nave, was killed in a plane crash March 4, 1943, while in training at Roswell, N.M.
Lieutenant Nave’s father, a veteran of World War I, served with the 132nd engineers in France.
Survivors are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Nave of 308 Roan street; two sisters, Peggy and Hildred of the home, and a host of relatives and friends.
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 26 August 1920
- Date of death: 9 August 1944
- County: Carter
- Hometown: Elizabethton
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 27th Fighter Group, 523rd Fighter Squadron
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor L. Herschel Nave
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
