Donald D. Pucket MOH

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Ok, as I was looking into my list of Medal of Honor recipients that I hadn't written about yet, I came across this Hero.  Lt Donald D. Pucket was a pilot of B-24 Liberator bombers.  In the article I read I found a piece of information that I hadn't seen in any of the other Medal of Honor recipient stories I have read.  Lt Pucket in the course of two weeks earned the two highest Medals of the US Military.  He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for attacking a target in Austria, on 26 June 1944. This is the second highest medal for the air force (Technically still the Army Air Corps).  On 9 July 1944, he earned the Medal of Honor while flying a mission to attack the oil refinery in Ploesti Romania.  Unfortunately, his bomber was extremely damaged in the attack and he ordered his crew to abandon ship. 3 of his crewmen, in fright and shock refused to jump.  He stayed with them trying to recover the ship.  Unfortunately, it crashed and the 4 of them were killed. 

There were 2 B-24's lost in the raid, the tail numbers were 42-78346 and 42-78348. The B-24 in this photograph is their sister ship, 42-78349. Source 

 

Rest in Peace Hero! 

Citation for the award of the Medal of Honor to Donald D. Pucket

He took part in a highly effective attack against vital oil installation in Ploesti, Romania, on 9 July 1944. Just after "bombs away," the plane received heavy and direct hits from antiaircraft fire. One crewmember was instantly killed and 6 others severely wounded. The airplane was badly damaged, 2 were knocked out, the control cables cut, the oxygen system on fire, and the bomb bay flooded with gas and hydraulic fluid. Regaining control of his crippled plane, 1st Lt. Pucket turned its direction over to the copilot. He calmed the crew, administered first aid, and surveyed the damage. Finding the bomb bay doors jammed, he used the hand crank to open them to allow the gas to escape. He jettisoned all guns and equipment but the plane continued to lose altitude rapidly. Realizing that it would be impossible to reach friendly territory he ordered the crew to abandon ship. Three of the crew, uncontrollable from fright or shock, would not leave. 1st Lt. Pucket urged the others to jump. Ignoring their entreaties to follow, he refused to abandon the 4 hysterical men and was last seen fighting to regain control of the plane. A few moments later the flaming bomber crashed on a mountainside. 1st Lt. Pucket, unhesitatingly and with supreme sacrifice, gave his life in his courageous attempt to save the lives of 3 others.

 Citation for the award of Distinguished Flying Cross to Donald D. Pucket

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donald Dale Pucket (ASN: 0-692817), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Bomber with the 343d Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force. On 26 June 1944, while participating in a bombing mission against an enemy aircraft factory in Austria, Lieutenant Pucket’s formation encountered intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire in the target area which severely damaged his plane and wounded one of his gunners. Shortly thereafter, a companion ship in his unit was hit by flak and forced out of the formation. Lieutenant Pucket gallantly elected to fall back with it to add the protection of the guns on his ship and both of these planes were attacked by an enemy aircraft which shot down the other B-24. The attacker was in turn destroyed by one of Lieutenant Pucket’s gunners. His courage and expert pilotage made possible a safe return with his damaged plane from deep in enemy territory, and a safe landing at home base, despite great mechanical difficulties. By his outstanding courage, professional skill and devotion to duty as evidenced throughout over twenty-nine (29) successful missions against the enemy, Lieutenant Pucket has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

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Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_D._Pucket (Top 2 Medals) 

https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/9-july-1944/

https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/donald-d-pucket