First Lieutenant Donald D. Pucket - St. Lousi, MO
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 38° 30.048 W 090° 16.839
15S E 737139 N 4264886
World War II US Army Air Corps Medal of Honor recipient located in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Waymark Code: WM7YJ
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 02/23/2006
Views: 54
First Lieutenant Donald D. Pucket
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 98th ,
Bombardment Group.
Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 9 July 1944.
Entered service at: Boulder, Colo.
Birth: Longmont, Colo.
Date of Issue: 23 June 1945.
Citation: He took part in a highly effective attack against vital oil
installation 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 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.