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Contact Info
Home Town Stockton, California
Last Address Skagit County, Washington
Date of Passing Apr 24, 2002
Location of Interment Pleasant Ridge Cemetery - La Conner, Washington
On Jun 10, 1944 he became an "Ace in a Day" by shooting down 5 enemy fighters over Ploesti, Romania. He was also credited with 1.5 probables and 3 damaged in aerial combat.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Herbert B. Hatch, Jr. (ASN: 0-760190), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 10 June 1944, during an air mission over Ploesti, Rumania. As part of the formation of fighter escorts for P-38 fighter bombers attacking a vitally important oil refinery in Ploesti, Lieutenant Hatch destroyed five enemy fighters, probably destroyed one and damaged another. In an effort to obtain surprise, the formation had flown at tree-top level but were attached by a numerically superior force prior to reaching the target. After engaging the enemy in furious combat, and expending all its ammunition, Lieutenant Hatch joined two other P-38's, whose ammunition was also completely exhausted, in a desperate attempt to assist comrades who were in need of help. Despite the lack of ammunition, Lieutenant Hatch returned with the formation through heavy anti-aircraft fire into the combat area and covered the withdrawal of another aircraft which had developed engine trouble. Lieutenant Hatch's gallantry in action, extreme devotion to duty, and outstanding heroism reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 38 (August 1, 1944)
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Anzio Campaign (1944)
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
May / 1944
Description (Anzio Campaign 22 January to 24 May 1944) On January 1944, in conjunction with a frontal assault, the Allies attempted to turn the Gustav Line by landing troops at Anzio. But the frontal attack failed, and the Allies were unable to break out of the beachhead at Anzio until the Gustav Line was breached in May 1944.
