Medal of Honor: Donald D. Pucket – July 8, 1944

Name: Donald D. Pucket

Rank: First Lieutenant
Conflict: World War II
Unit: 98th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Date of Action: July 9, 1944
Location: Ploesti, Romania

Summary of Action:
On July 9, 1944, First Lieutenant Donald D. Pucket took part in a daring daylight bombing raid targeting the heavily defended oil refineries of Ploesti, Romania—one of Nazi Germany’s most critical sources of fuel. Often referred to as "Hitler’s Gas Station," the Ploesti complex supplied nearly one-third of the Axis powers’ petroleum and was one of the most fiercely protected industrial sites in Europe. Surrounded by dense anti-aircraft defenses and flak batteries, missions over Ploesti were notoriously deadly, demanding precision, courage, and unwavering resolve from every airman involved.

Flying with the 98th Bombardment Group in a B-24 Liberator, Lt. Pucket’s crew had just completed their bombing run when their aircraft was rocked by intense anti-aircraft fire. The explosion instantly killed one crew member and gravely wounded six others. Fires broke out across the plane, oxygen systems were knocked out, fuel flooded the bomb bay, and two engines were disabled—leaving the plane crippled and descending rapidly over enemy territory.

With extraordinary calm and leadership, Pucket took control of the emergency. He passed the controls to his copilot, tended to his injured men, extinguished flames, opened jammed bomb bay doors by hand to vent fuel vapors, and jettisoned unnecessary equipment to keep the aircraft aloft. Despite his efforts, it became clear the bomber would not make it back to Allied lines. He gave the order to abandon ship—but three crew members, paralyzed by fear and shock, refused to jump.

Ignoring the pleas of others to save himself, Lt. Pucket remained aboard, refusing to leave the terrified men behind. He was last seen desperately attempting to stabilize the doomed aircraft, still fighting for control. Moments later, the flaming bomber crashed into the mountains of Romania. First Lieutenant Pucket gave his life in a supreme act of sacrifice, choosing loyalty and duty over self-preservation in one of the most dangerous air campaigns of the war.

Medal of Honor Citation:
He took part in a highly effective attack against vital oil installations in Ploesti, Rumania, 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 engines 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 3 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.