Discover the life of Brigadier General Frederick Castle, a WWII hero based in Suffolk, and his courageous acts.
They were based at RAF Bury St Edmunds, known today as Rougham Airfield. Only Rougham Control Tower Museum remains now.
Brigadier General Frederick Castle commanded the base, taking charge in June 1943. He was very involved during his command. Castle was born in the Philippines, the son of a soldier.
After World War One, the family moved to New Jersey. Castle later joined the National Guard and then attended West Point in 1926, excelling in his studies.
Castle graduated in 1930, ranking seventh out of 241, subsequently becoming a 2nd Lieutenant. He trained as a pilot and earned his wings in 1931.
He resigned from the army at 26, possibly finding it unexciting. He then worked for Allied Chemical and Dye but remained in the Army Reserve.
Sperry Gyroscope Company hired him in 1938, leveraging his business skills. They were involved in military projects, including bombsights.
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, leading the U.S. to enter World War Two. In 1942, Castle joined a bomber force in England, recommended by a former colleague.
Castle sought to lead a combat unit. The Eighth Air Force expanded rapidly, growing from four to eight bomber groups. Castle commanded the 94th and became a Colonel.
Some perceived Castle as aloof, as he expected junior officers to handle unpleasant tasks. However, he also motivated those going into combat.
He earned a Silver Star in July 1943 for a mission to bomb a German factory. Despite bad weather scattering his group, Castle and others completed the mission.
In 1944, Castle commanded the 4th Combat Bomb Wing, which grew from three to five groups. He was promoted to Brigadier General in November.
Christmas Eve, December 24, would change his life. He flew as co-pilot on his 30th mission, leading over 2,000 bombers and 850 fighters targeting the German Ardennes offensive.
Assembling the force proved difficult. Fighters didn’t meet them as planned. Over Belgium, his plane sustained enemy fire and experienced engine trouble.
Realizing his bomb-laden plane was at risk, Castle ordered his crew to bail out; five of the nine survived. He stayed behind to avoid hitting buildings, resulting in the plane’s explosion.
He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery, the U.S. military’s highest award. He is buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.
Brigadier General Castle held a high rank among Americans killed in Europe. Only one general outranked him and died in Okinawa: Lt. General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.
Airfields were named after both men: Castle Air Force Base in California and Buckner Airport in Florida. A bench honors them both.
The bench sits in Appleby Rose Garden and is made from a Flying Fortress. John Appleby founded the garden, using royalties from his book.
Appleby was an American Master Sergeant stationed in England in 1945. His book, Suffolk Summer, remains available and offers unique insight.