Fred C. Ford was born in 1919 in Knoxville Tennessee. He attended Knoxville High School. He enlisted on Febuary 24, 1941, in Knoxville, TN and was a member of the National Guard. Before his death, he was serving in the 377th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group.

1st Lt Fred Clarence Ford was the pilot of aircraft P-47D-27 with serial number 42-27249. He departed from Etain, France on an armed reconnaissance mission to the Saarbrucken area in Germany.

Statement from 1st Lt Wiliam J. Kuntz, II
On 26 November 1944 at approximately 1515 hours in the vicinity of Schonenberg, France, I was flying Red leader position and Lt Ford was flying Red #3. We were heading East and observed 30 Me 109’s at 4,000 feet and 10 FW 190´s at 6,000 feet coming in at about 8 o’clock high. We immediately broke into the E/A and individual dog fights took place. Being greatly outnumbered I gave the order for Red flight to hit the deck and return to base. Just as I was ready to hit the deck I observed a single P-47 with two Me 109´s on his tail. I believe the single P-47 may have been Lt. Ford. I made a pass at the 2 Me 109´s and they both broke off combat. I could see no more P-47’s in the area so I hit the deck and headed out by myself. I called Red flight and told them to check in. All ships checked in including Red #3 (Lt. Ford) and that was the last I heard from him. There was light, moderate, inaccurate flak in the area. 1LT Ford's current burial place in unknown.

Source of information: https://etvma.org