World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
John A. Hilger
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Sherman, Texas
Honored By
Ralph Bozorth
HE WAS COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 89TH RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON WHEN THE TOKYO RAID WAS PLANNED AND WAS A BRIGADIER GENERAL AND THE PILOT ON THE 14TH B-25 BOMBER THAT TOOK OFF FROM THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS HORNET FOR THE DOOLITTLE RAID ON TOKYO, JAPAN APRIL 18, 1942. AFTER THE RAID, HE RETURNED TO THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER AS A COMMANDER OF A BOMB GROUP. DURING THE LAST 18 MONTHS OF THE WAR, HE SERVED ON THE STAFF OF ADMIRAL CHESTER A. NIMITZ, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PACIFIC AREA. ATTENDED AIR WAR COLLEGE AND NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE AND HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS OPERATIONAL AND STAFF ASSIGNMENTS. DECORATIONS INCLUDE SILVER STAR, LEGION OF MERIT WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, BRONZE STAR, AIR MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, AND THE CHINESE ORDER OF YUNG HUI, 4TH CLASS.