File:Claude J. Crenshaw.jpg

English: Capt. Claude J. Crenshaw of Monroe, LA, 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th FG. Doc Bruns noted that Capt. Crenshaw was afraid of needles and claustrophobic, yet on November 21, 1944, Crenshaw and his wingman, Lt. Harold Tenenbaum, spotted about 100 Fw 190s who were flying with another 35 190s as top cover, above a formation of bombers. Crenshaw and Tennenbaum dropped behind the bandits, where P-51s from the 352nd FG were closing in. As the 352nd FG attacked the 190s, Crenshaw and Tennenbaum also attacked, and Crenshaw quickly claimed two kills - he saw both Focke-Wulf pilots bail out of the planes he fired upon. Flying into and then out of haze, Crenshaw spotted another 50 Fw 190s firing on the bombers. He closed in and fired on one of those attackers and, trailing fire from its nose, that Fw 190 rolled over and went down. Then Crenshaw engaged about 30 bandits and scored hits on one more before the Germans started firing on him. As a bandit got behind Crenshaw, a Mustang from the 352nd FG intervened and shot down the bandit.

Back at base, Crenshaw's crew reported that three of his six guns were jammed - only three had worked during the mission. Flying P-51D-15 "Heat Wave" 44-15016, Crenshaw made ace that day.

By the end of his May 1944 through December 1944, 270 hour combat tour with the 369th FS, 359th FG, Capt Crenshaw claimed seven aerial victories as well as three ground strafing kills.

In addition to "Heat Wave," Capt. Crenshaw flew P-51B IV-S 42-106689, and P-51D IV-I 44-13606 "Louisiana Heat Wave." S/Sgt. George K. Abernathy was his crew chief; Cpl. Stan Liest and Cpl. Nick Ratushey, armorers.