Medal of Honor: Donald D. Pucket - World War II - July 9, 1944

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

Summary of Action

On 9 July 1944, First Lieutenant Donald D. Pucket displayed extraordinary heroism while participating in a bombing mission against the vital Axis oil installations at Ploesti, Romania.

Moments after releasing its bombs over the target, his B-24 Liberator came under devastating anti-aircraft fire. Direct hits crippled the aircraft, instantly killing one crewman and severely wounding six others. The bomber suffered catastrophic damage—two engines were knocked out, the control cables were severed, the oxygen system caught fire, and gasoline and hydraulic fluid flooded the bomb bay.

Despite the chaos and his own peril, Lieutenant Pucket calmly regained control of the crippled aircraft and turned flying duties over to the copilot while he moved through the damaged bomber assisting his crew.

He administered first aid to the wounded, reassured frightened airmen, and personally inspected the damage.

Discovering that the bomb bay doors had jammed shut, he manually operated the emergency hand crank to open them, allowing dangerous gasoline vapors to escape and reducing the risk of an in-flight explosion.

To lighten the aircraft, he ordered guns and equipment jettisoned, but the battered bomber continued to lose altitude.

Realizing there was no hope of reaching friendly territory, Lieutenant Pucket ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft.

Most obeyed.

Three crew members, however, were so overcome by fear or shock that they could not bring themselves to jump.

Rather than save himself, Lieutenant Pucket remained aboard.

Ignoring repeated pleas from his comrades to follow them, he stayed behind in a desperate effort to regain control of the aircraft and give the three frightened men another chance to survive.

He was last seen fighting to keep the burning bomber airborne.

Moments later, the aircraft crashed into a mountainside in flames.

By knowingly sacrificing his own life rather than abandon his helpless comrades, First Lieutenant Donald D. Pucket displayed courage and selflessness of the highest order, reflecting the finest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.

Medal of Honor Citation

PUCKET, DONALD D. (Air Mission)

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 98th Bombardment Group.

Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Romania, 9 July 1944.

Entered service at: Boulder, Colo.

Birth: Longmont, Colo.

G.O. No.: 48, 23 June 1945.

Citation:

He took part in a highly effective attack against vital oil installations 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 six others severely wounded. The airplane was badly damaged, two 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 three 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 three others.