Medal of Honor: Donald D. Pucket – World War II – July 9, 1944
Returning from Ploesti, a B-24 was shattered by flak and falling from the sky. When three wounded airmen could not jump, their young pilot stayed aboard with them.
July 9, 2026
Name: Donald D. Pucket
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army Air Forces
War: World War II
Unit: 98th Bombardment Group
Aircraft: B-24 Liberator
Date of Action: July 9, 1944
Location: Near Ploesti, Romania
Summary of Action
On 9 July 1944, First Lieutenant Donald D. Pucket participated in a bombing mission against the strategically vital oil facilities at Ploesti, Romania, one of the most heavily defended targets in Europe.
Moments after releasing its bombs, his B-24 Liberator was struck repeatedly by intense German anti-aircraft fire.
The devastating barrage killed one crewman instantly and seriously wounded six others.
The aircraft itself 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, Pucket regained control of the crippled bomber and turned flying duties over to the copilot while he assessed the situation.
He moved calmly throughout the aircraft, administering first aid to wounded crewmen, reassuring those still able to fight, and inspecting the damage.
When he discovered the bomb-bay doors had jammed, trapping dangerous gasoline fumes inside the aircraft, he manually cranked them open to vent the fuel and reduce the danger of explosion.
He then ordered all unnecessary guns and equipment thrown overboard in a desperate attempt to lighten the aircraft.
Despite every effort, the bomber continued losing altitude.
Recognizing that friendly territory could not be reached, Pucket ordered the crew to bail out.
Most obeyed.
Three wounded crewmen, however, were so overcome by fear and shock that they refused to leave the aircraft.
Pucket repeatedly urged them to jump.
When they still would not abandon the aircraft, his surviving crew pleaded with him to save himself.
He refused.
Choosing instead to remain aboard with the helpless airmen, Pucket was last seen struggling to regain control of the doomed bomber in a final effort to save their lives.
Moments later, the burning aircraft crashed into the side of a mountain.
First Lieutenant Donald D. Pucket knowingly sacrificed his own life rather than abandon three fellow airmen in their final moments.
His extraordinary courage, compassion, and selfless devotion to duty reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.
Medal of Honor Citation
PUCKET, DONALD D.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces, 98th Bombardment Group.
Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Romania, 9 July 1944.
Entered service at: Boulder, Colorado.
Birth: Longmont, Colorado.
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 anti-aircraft 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 gasoline and hydraulic fluid.
Regaining control of his crippled plane, First Lieutenant 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 and allow the gasoline fumes 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.
First Lieutenant 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.
First Lieutenant Pucket, unhesitatingly and with supreme sacrifice, gave his life in his courageous attempt to save the lives of three others.
